Earlier today, on a message board that I still read occasionally, people were arguing about the correct pronunciation of a French perfume house, and finally agreeing on an incorrect one, so I intend to record (and post here) a new name every day – starting with that of my favourite perfumer, Serge Lutens.
I hope all perfumistas out there will find it useful.
Log in tomorrow for the next name on my list. What is it? Ah, that would be telling...
Update (5/01/2010): I have just found a blog host where you can download any sound file posted by the blogger. Go here if you want to save the file for further reference.
I welcome requests, please don't hesitate to ask by using the comments form.
Monday, 4 January 2010
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I love this! I still have an old sound file you posted ages ago with all the Guerlain perfume names (well, all the ones that were out back then). Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, T. I lost that file in the Big Computer Crash of 2008, LOL!, but I will record those names again - eventually. I thought I would start this 'Grand Projet' with 'difficult' perfume houses.
ReplyDeletenice audio lol, we love Serge Lutens in any form :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you're lolling at, but thanks.
ReplyDeleteAt least I don't pretend to be Serge Lutens on Facebook.
Bela I love these, thank you. One of the bugaboos of being an auto-didact on any subject is never knowing how to say things out loud!
ReplyDeleteRequests: Could we occasionally have some common terms as well as names? And names of perfumes as well as brands?
Now I just have to figure out how to make myself understood in America when I am pronouncing things correctly. Perhaps we need another page with "most commonly understood manglings"...
Thank you very much for your kind words, A. I'm delighted you find those sound files useful.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean things like 'sillage'? Absolutely. I appreciate requests: I don't always know what others find difficult to pronounce. And I will post names of perfumes. I just thought I should start with brands. Any specific names you'd like me to record?
Ah, yes, I am aware that people might get 'corrected' by an SA who thinks he or she knows better. Making oneself understood is, of course, the most important thing. You can learn those names/words just for the fun of it and being able to say a few things in a foreign language.
I think a page listing the 'most commonly understood manglings' would be great, but I don't think I'm the right person to create it. If you'd like to compile a list, I'll be glad to post it for you (here or on the main Frag Name of the Day site). Any time. :-)
Hee, hee! You know I was joking, of course, about the manglings page, though it might be a very enjoyable project. Even useful! I often have that moment in department stores of deciding how to ask for things. Sometimes I just translate, especially on the phone--just did that for Cartier's Les Heures.
ReplyDeleteTerms, yes--sillage, chypre, parfum, I'll think of more. Maybe words that show up a lot in names--bois, nuit, vanille, matin. Classics like L'Heure Bleue and Apres L'Ondee. I've often wanted to compile a little "French for Perfume Fanatics" pamphlet...
But please know I am just brainstorming for fun here. I'm quite happy with anything you decide to do!
Thank you so much for the feedback. I'll see what I can do. :-)
ReplyDeleteI continue to be grateful for this series! This name is one I always butcher - I blame it on the first part reading as "give" in English. Halfway through I remember it should be French, which results in a mumble that sounds like "give-awn-shee".
ReplyDeleteI console myself with the knowledge that as an American, I am rarely expected to pronounce things properly :~P