I have a suggestion, and forgive me if this already exists, but given the fact that so much communication learning and knowledge building for the game comes from written word either hardcopy or online what about having a pronunciation button next to the names of the various characters creatures spells locations and the like, that when pressed wood audibly pronounce the word correctly. I believe this would assure assure continuity to the game across the board. Everyone would be using the same pronunciation when discussing the game and I think that could help the newbies feel more confident and the veterans assurance that they are and have been using the proper pronunciation. Like I said forgive me if this already exists and if so please point me to it thank you
So I have a bit of a counter argument here. We just had an issue rise last night when I told the team they were facing down the draconic eyes of a Wyvern. I pronunciate this with the Y sounding like a soft i sound (like in the word "wind"). Others at the table immediately corrected me saying it should sound like a Whyvern. I grew up reading fantasy novels, and half the fun was deciding what you wanted the word to sound like.
Another instance of this would be the world "melee" some say this as ME-lee some say it like MAY-Lay. In fact there are times I interchange the words pronunciations.
So I have a bit of a counter argument here. We just had an issue rise last night when I told the team they were facing down the draconic eyes of a Wyvern. I pronunciate this with the Y sounding like a soft i sound (like in the word "wind"). Others at the table immediately corrected me saying it should sound like a Whyvern. I grew up reading fantasy novels, and half the fun was deciding what you wanted the word to sound like.
Another instance of this would be the world "melee" some say this as ME-lee some say it like MAY-Lay. In fact there are times I interchange the words pronunciations.
The pronunciations will be coming from Wizards themselves. For common words like Wyvern (which I have always pronounced why-vern) and melee (may-lay) I don't see why you should have to say it a different way. The important ones are like Tarrasque, which I've had arguments with my husband over (we were both very very wrong).
I have always pronounced Tarrasque as Terra-Squee - not sure that's "right", but I am also not going to change it haha
My counter argument was one of sentiment only, so I have no facts to back it up, just emotions at their being a right and wrong way to pronounce fantasy names/words.
Good and fair point point but I think a lot of people would appreciate knowing that they are pronouncing it the way the people that created the content meant. I understand not everybody feels that way and certainly there should be no requirement to use The pronunciations buttons but for those of us who would like to know the proper pronunciation so that everyone at the table was on the same page I look forward to the audio props. On a personal note I had a similar experience when the movie Lord of the rings cam out and the fact that I have been pronouncing Gimli in my mind completely different than the way Peter Jackson interpreted it, but I have to believe that he did more research into the phonetics of the characters names than I ever did so now I say it the way Peter Jackson says it because its the wat the rest the world says it and when I talk about Gimli people know who I'm talking about regardless of whether they read the books or not because everyone saw the movies.
There has always been a pronunciation guide from Wizards, but this is the first time (as far as I know) that a voice has been given to it. There's absolutely no requirement to say the words the way the author intended them to be pronounced. But it's certainly a nice feature, and one I'm personally excited for.
It's rather fun to see how others pronounce things or even better say it the way you think to then find out how other people think it should be. I know as a DM unless it is OBVIOUS they know the thing they are facing, I like describing it based on details given. They get the name finally if someone rolls successfully to even know what it might be due to possibly reading about one or hearing tales.
I like Tarrasque as Tar-ras-kyoo. ;)
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The important ones are like Tarrasque, which I've had arguments with my husband over (we were both very very wrong).
So.... I've always pronounced it "tuh rask". Is that close?
That's pretty close. Since the name originates with the French tarasque (I don't know why the D&D-ification of this mythical beast included adding another 'r' to the name), which is pronounced so it sounds like teh-rask.
In the larger sense, I don't really think it matters how someone pronounces whatever words they are using while playing their D&D, so long as everyone at the table understands what is meant by the sounds that are made - someone could get pretty well upset, for example, by not realizing that when Jim says "ka-toe-bell-paz" that he's talking about the same thing Shelly believes is called a "cat-o-bleep-us" and a particular sort of old-school Mark knows only by the name Nekrozon.
Neat, look at all the crazy ways we pronounced, but thanks for the note of the word origin. If I had known that I would have probably guessed right instead of shooting in the air. ROFL
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I have always pronounced Tarrasque as Terra-Squee - not sure that's "right", but I am also not going to change it haha
My counter argument was one of sentiment only, so I have no facts to back it up, just emotions at their being a right and wrong way to pronounce fantasy names/words.
Idk if mine is right, but tare-ask (kinda sounds like tear ass, which is what you do when you see a Tarrasque)
“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
The problam is that they aren't being consistent with older sources/don't make much sense. In the Stream of Annihilation, they demo'd a few of the pronunciations. Sahuagin was said differently to how it is said in Dungeons and Dragons Online (DDO), and Genasi with a hard G just sounds wrong, especially as they are descended from genies, whose name starts with a soft G.
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Suggestion on pronunciation:
I have a suggestion, and forgive me if this already exists, but given the fact that so much communication learning and knowledge building for the game comes from written word either hardcopy or online what about having a pronunciation button next to the names of the various characters creatures spells locations and the like, that when pressed wood audibly pronounce the word correctly. I believe this would assure assure continuity to the game across the board. Everyone would be using the same pronunciation when discussing the game and I think that could help the newbies feel more confident and the veterans assurance that they are and have been using the proper pronunciation. Like I said forgive me if this already exists and if so please point me to it thank you
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InsidersThere are pronunciations in the works, being voiced by Matt Mercer and Marisha Ray. They were announced during the Stream of Annihilation.
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D&D Beyond FoundersHiya BigDan,
the recent Stream of Annihilation showcased this feature, which will be part of D&D Beyond.
So .... coming soon!
edit: Beaten to it by the ever-vigilant Firehawk! :)
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So I have a bit of a counter argument here. We just had an issue rise last night when I told the team they were facing down the draconic eyes of a Wyvern. I pronunciate this with the Y sounding like a soft i sound (like in the word "wind"). Others at the table immediately corrected me saying it should sound like a Whyvern. I grew up reading fantasy novels, and half the fun was deciding what you wanted the word to sound like.
Another instance of this would be the world "melee" some say this as ME-lee some say it like MAY-Lay. In fact there are times I interchange the words pronunciations.
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InsidersA dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
I have always pronounced Tarrasque as Terra-Squee - not sure that's "right", but I am also not going to change it haha
My counter argument was one of sentiment only, so I have no facts to back it up, just emotions at their being a right and wrong way to pronounce fantasy names/words.
Good and fair point point but I think a lot of people would appreciate knowing that they are pronouncing it the way the people that created the content meant. I understand not everybody feels that way and certainly there should be no requirement to use The pronunciations buttons but for those of us who would like to know the proper pronunciation so that everyone at the table was on the same page I look forward to the audio props. On a personal note I had a similar experience when the movie Lord of the rings cam out and the fact that I have been pronouncing Gimli in my mind completely different than the way Peter Jackson interpreted it, but I have to believe that he did more research into the phonetics of the characters names than I ever did so now I say it the way Peter Jackson says it because its the wat the rest the world says it and when I talk about Gimli people know who I'm talking about regardless of whether they read the books or not because everyone saw the movies.
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InsidersThere has always been a pronunciation guide from Wizards, but this is the first time (as far as I know) that a voice has been given to it. There's absolutely no requirement to say the words the way the author intended them to be pronounced. But it's certainly a nice feature, and one I'm personally excited for.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
At your own table, you can pronounce things however you'd like! You're not beholden to what WOTC suggests or how the pronunciation guide says it.
It's rather fun to see how others pronounce things or even better say it the way you think to then find out how other people think it should be. I know as a DM unless it is OBVIOUS they know the thing they are facing, I like describing it based on details given. They get the name finally if someone rolls successfully to even know what it might be due to possibly reading about one or hearing tales.
I like Tarrasque as Tar-ras-kyoo. ;)
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PbP - Tome of Annhilation - Vistani Mocanu, Human, Bard
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InsidersA dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Neat, look at all the crazy ways we pronounced, but thanks for the note of the word origin. If I had known that I would have probably guessed right instead of shooting in the air. ROFL
PbP - Beregost Blues - Portia Starflower, Half Elf, Cleric, Life Domain
PbP - Tome of Annhilation - Vistani Mocanu, Human, Bard
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“It is a better world. A place where we are responsible for our actions, where we can be kind to one another because we want to and because it is the right thing to do instead of being frightened into behaving by the threat of divine punishment.” ― Oramis, Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
The problam is that they aren't being consistent with older sources/don't make much sense. In the Stream of Annihilation, they demo'd a few of the pronunciations. Sahuagin was said differently to how it is said in Dungeons and Dragons Online (DDO), and Genasi with a hard G just sounds wrong, especially as they are descended from genies, whose name starts with a soft G.
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