Pronounciation of Loch

[Valerie Campbell]

Just because I noticed a new member with the name Loch Not Lock, how do you pronounce the word 'loch?' A friend of mine says 'lock' but I always say it with the ch being soft from the throat. I can't imagine saying Lock Ackray for Loch Achray anyway. So, how do you say it?

[helenwyler]

Just because I noticed a new member with the name Loch Not Lock, how do you pronounce the word 'loch?' A friend of mine says 'lock' but I always say it with the ch being soft from the throat. I can't imagine saying Lock Ackray for Loch Achray anyway. So, how do you say it?

Definitely not 'lock'! I was brought up in England, but taught to pronounce it as you describe, like the German 'ch'.

I find Pitlochry a bit difficult though:eek:!

[SNOWDOG]

'Loch not lock' nice one. ;) Its definately from the back of the throat, as in 'och' otherwise it would be spelt with a 'ck', as in 'rock! :)

[Margaret M.]

It has to be loch, och aye.

[Julia]

As in 'Och aye the noo', that's the proper way to pronounce it.

[Rheghead]

It matters little to me, I swap between the two pronunciations when I think on. I certainly wouldn't pronounce Paris as Par-eee though;)

[riggerboy]

a lock is an item on a door,,,,,
a loch is where nessie lives
och i dinna ken

[NLP]

It's loch for me.

[Angela]

It has to be loch, like "och" ........och an' ee! ;)

[grandma]

It should be pronounced with a sound from the back of the throat - as in Achavanich!!!! Hee-hee

[Loch not Lock]

Since my username "Loch not Lock" has caused discussion I feel obliged to explain why I chose it. Some years ago whilst at a social (drunken) evening in the Esher Club, Surrey a friend of mine from the Forest of Dean kept saying Lock Ness and Lock Lomond during a discussion about Scotland. This infuriated a retired Malawi diplomat of Edinburgh birth and he kept trying to teach the Englishman to pronounce 'och to no avail. Due to the convivial spirit everyone found his attempts having us all in tears with laughter. Everytime loch or lock is mentioned I still remember that fun night with great affection so it seemed a suitable choice for my username. :roll:

[grandma]

It's a great username. Wish I'd thought of it myself!!

[bekisman]

Off tread (a bit)
To us British, a Bison is a North American buffalo, but to an Aussie it's a thing you wash your hands in...

[Valerie Campbell]

Since my username "Loch not Lock" has caused discussion I feel obliged to explain why I chose it. Some years ago whilst at a social (drunken) evening in the Esher Club, Surrey a friend of mine from the Forest of Dean kept saying Lock Ness and Lock Lomond during a discussion about Scotland. This infuriated a retired Malawi diplomat of Edinburgh birth and he kept trying to teach the Englishman to pronounce 'och to no avail. Due to the convivial spirit everyone found his attempts having us all in tears with laughter. Everytime loch or lock is mentioned I still remember that fun night with great affection so it seemed a suitable choice for my username. :roll:

I wondered why you'd chosen that username...thanks for the clarification. Welcome to the Org.

[Loch not Lock]

Thank you, Valerie and good luck with your book. When is it published?

[grantyg]

I usually just pretend a small crumb of toast has lodged its self on that punch bag doofer at the top of my throat and I`m trying to get it off by using my tounge to GrRRRRRRchchchzzzz it off!????
But I`m from yorkshire and I don`t speak proper, tha knows
Grant

[Rheghead]

It seems funny to me that Loch Watten or Calder should be pronounced as in Gaelic when the Caithness community council have poo pooed Gaelic signs?:confused

[MadPict]

Loch as in Och....

Lock is what you find on a canal or in a door

[karia]

[quote I find Pitlochry a bit difficult though:eek:![/quote]

Pitlochree sounds nice...pit lockry sounds horrible...where's the difficulty...

..or diffficutee!;)

karia

[horseman]

It matters little to me, I swap between the two pronunciations when I think on. I certainly wouldn't pronounce Paris as Par-eee though;)

not even as in gay par-eee;)

[ywindythesecond]

It seems funny to me that Loch Watten or Calder should be pronounced as in Gaelic when the Caithness community council have poo pooed Gaelic signs?:confused

What is gaelic for Watten and Calder?

[Rheghead]

What is gaelic for Watten and Calder?

dunno, you tell me

[Sporran]

Just because I noticed a new member with the name Loch Not Lock, how do you pronounce the word 'loch?' A friend of mine says 'lock' but I always say it with the ch being soft from the throat. I can't imagine saying Lock Ackray for Loch Achray anyway. So, how do you say it?


Och it has to be loch, as in "Campbeltown Loch" - the song made famous by Andy Stewart in the 1960s. Hyooch!! :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbeltown_Loch (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbeltown_Loch)

I have to admit I find it a bit annoying when people pronounce "loch" like "lock", but realise that if you haven't been brought up in Scotland or the likes of Germany, the "ch" sound might be a bit of a challenge. Another peeve of mine is when folk on this side of the Big Pond pronounce Edinburgh like "Edinburrow". If the person is talking to me directly, I gently remind the offender that we pronounce it "Edinburrah" in Scotland, then give them one of my sweet little smiles! :)

[Margaret M.]

Another peeve of mine is when folk on this side of the Big Pond pronounce Edinburgh like "Edinburrow".

Or Edinburg -- Continental Airlines fly into Edinburgh so you think they would know how to pronounce it, but no, "We are now boarding the flight for Edinburg".

[Torvaig]

When explaining the pronunciation of a Scottish word such as "loch" I suggest that it is pronounced the same way as in "Bach" and that seems to help most non-Scots to understand. Although it is annoying to hear our words mis-pronounced, we should endeavour to educate and spread the word!;)

[Valerie Campbell]

Thank you, Valerie and good luck with your book. When is it published?

Thanks. It's out on Monday. Happy reading!

[brokencross]

Och, I think loch has been sorted out;
but what about what?

How do you pronounce such a simple word; my daughters are of the English persuasion and criticise me when I say what (pronounced "hwot"), they say the correct way is "wot".

How do you say what, where, why?

[Valerie Campbell]

Och, I think loch has been sorted out;
but what about what?

How do you pronounce such a simple word; my daughters are of the English persuasion and criticise me when I say what (pronounced "hwot"), they say the correct way is "wot".

How do you say what, where, why?

I think most Scots would pronounce it the same as you. Wot, wen, etc are very much of the English persuasion. I say say 'wh.'

[Sporran]

Being a Scot as well, I also say "wh".

[northener]

I think most Scots would pronounce it the same as you. Wot, wen, etc are very much of the English persuasion. I say say 'wh.'

Maybe because the predominant Saxon/Germanic/Norse/Dane influence almost makes the 'wh' sound like 'v' - as in 'vot is your name'?

[TBH]

I have to admit I find it a bit annoying when people pronounce "loch" like "lock", but realise that if you haven't been brought up in Scotland or the likes of Germany.Or the Klingon home-world?:lol:

[Cattach]

It seems funny to me that Loch Watten or Calder should be pronounced as in Gaelic when the Caithness community council have poo pooed Gaelic signs?:confused

Just as many throughout the Highlandds have in their own areas - even Gaelic 'speaking' areas. Nothing to do with pronunciation just cost and commonsense. In Aberdeeshire they could claim signs should be in English, Doric and Gaelic. Other areas a similar problem. By the time you read the sign you would have driven past it!!!
I suppose in the USA there could be signs in English, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, German, French, Arabis, etc, etc.!!!!
Help ma bob I think I will lock myself in chains and jump in the loch.

[George Brims]

What is gaelic for Watten and Calder?
I don't know about Calder, but the Gaelic name for Watten was Achingale, now preserved in Achingale Place.

Any Gaelic scholars out there who can tell us what the word means?

[George Brims]

When explaining the pronunciation of a Scottish word such as "loch" I suggest that it is pronounced the same way as in "Bach" and that seems to help most non-Scots to understand. Although it is annoying to hear our words mis-pronounced, we should endeavour to educate and spread the word!;)
That'll do no good on this (western) side of the pond, as they pronounce the German composer the same way as the word for the reverse side.

My pet peeve over here is "scone" pronounced to rhyme with "moan" instead of "gone". I have got one or two "aha!' reactions when I explain that the former would mark one as a budding Hyacinth Bucket ("It's pronounced Bouquet"). Only 300 million -2 people to go!

[Valerie Campbell]

I don't know about Calder, but the Gaelic name for Watten was Achingale, now preserved in Achingale Place.

Any Gaelic scholars out there who can tell us what the word means?

I know 'achadh' means field so maybe field of the Gael/Highlander? Just a stab in the dark though...

[trix]

i used til drive ma auntie jackie crazy by callin her chackie :mad:

now its just chaq... :lol:

[Jeemag_USA]

Just because I noticed a new member with the name Loch Not Lock, how do you pronounce the word 'loch?' A friend of mine says 'lock' but I always say it with the ch being soft from the throat. I can't imagine saying Lock Ackray for Loch Achray anyway. So, how do you say it?

If your saying Lock your english or at least Saxon. The fact that Germans can say Loch perfectly proves the Celts are a Germanic race ;)

Here is a tip, if it doesn't sound like your hockin up a clocher you're not saying it right ;)

[Metalattakk]

Here is a tip, if it doesn't sound like your hockin up a clocher you're not saying it right ;)

Ah, the inimitable 'clocher'. Onomatopoeic nirvana!

[Rheghead]

If something as innocuous as saying 'lock' instead of 'loch' winds a few folk up then it can't be a bad thing, can it?:lol:

[xx_chickie]

Welcome, Loch not Lock! Good username, and I'll definitely remember you now! Hehe.