A Help For Those Who Seek One

Hey, my merry folks! Here am I yet again, welcoming the early stages of the new year! And, what's more, I bring with me a free aid to some who may wish for it.

Here's the thing: Earlier editions of Strife Of The Mighty were released without a pronunciation guide (for reasons which will here remain unspoken). But I've been informed by some of my readers that some of the names of places, persons, and/or words of the land of Vrandalin are somewhat tricky. So, with the swiftest of speed, I set the hammer to the anvil, and I've now updated the current edition of my novel, adding a shiny, new, totally awesome pronunciation guide! This addition has taken affect in both the print and ebook version.

But wait, some of you cry, I've already purchased your book/ebook. D'you mean to tell me that if I wanna know exactly how to say Ayestærè, I've got to go purchase another copy or read over my friend's shoulder? Of course not! I am a man of reason, you know. For those of you who got a hold of one of the earlier editions of Strife Of The Mighty, the body of text below is dedicated to you.

Pronunciation Guide

Consonants— Pronounced as they are in English. If written twice are to be pronounced long. Thus Ainna carries the long n found in English unnatural.

Vowels— Pronounced as they are in English, but certain exceptions and differences are sometimes applied.

a           is always short as in English at when placed before a hard consonant; is always short as in at when standing alone. Examples are Akon, Amon, a.

æ          always gives the long a sound, as in English lake. Thus the third syllable in Ayestærè is pronounced like English tare. In some cases, ae is used for the same value, as it holds to the same rule.

ai          usually gives the long a sound as in English rain; an example of such usage occurs as Ainna; changes to long i sound as in English die when placed at the end of a word.

au         gives the combined sound of a and w as in English maw. Thus Daugruil is ‘Dawgruil’, not ‘Dowgruil’.

è          gives the long a sound as in English they. Examples are Ayestærè, Ordarè.

ea         gives the long e sound as in English reach. Examples are Carneathia, Morkathleam.

ei         gives the long e sound as in English reach. This usage occurs in Teilmenak.

i           when placed at the end of a word gives the long e sound as in Norwegian inspired ski. Thus mi is pronounced like English me.

ie         usually gives the long e sound as in English piece. An example of this usage occurs in Mor-ghaurfrieon.

u          almost always gives the long u sound as in English rue when standing without a second vowel at the beginning of a word, standing without a second vowel in the middle of a word, or placed alone at the end of a word. Examples are Umbal, luth, Ulurku. (It must be noted that one of the few exceptions to this is the name Murg, which utilizes the short u sound found in English purge)

ü          always gives the long u sound as in English rue. Examples are Cüthail, Hül.

As there are a few Krandish words and names in this tale, a brief guide to the Krandish speech is also listed.

Consonants— Pronounced as they are in English.

Vowels— Pronounced mostly as they are in English, save for a few key differences.

ae         always gives the long a sound as in English make. An example of this usage occurs in Timnaea.

ai          always gives the long i sound as in English die. An example of this usage occurs in sai.

è          gives the long a sound as in English they. Examples are Illahumè, Yumbè.

i           always gives the long e sound as in Norwegian inspired ski when placed at the end of a word. Examples are Ba’li, luri.

o          usually gives the long o sound as in English mote; an example of this usage occurs in toko. Occasional exceptions occur, such as Zagra-Kushagroth, where the o is short as in English hot.

u          almost always gives the long u sound as in English rue. Examples are Un’dala, Kaku’rok, Kuz.

ua         should not be pronounced as in English guard, but sounded as separate vowels, the u being long as in English rue and the a being pronounced with the short o sound found in English hot. An example of this usage occurs in Aluah.

Keep Strong!