16 Comments
User's avatar
Linda Datko's avatar

This may be a little deep. Mispronouncing a name can be taken as a sign of disrespect. David might not care when it comes his way. But he is very respectful towards so many people who are not used to being respected or think they have not earned it. So this may be why I feel David is due this sign of my respect. - This character of few words has become a well rounded personality.

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

That's an interesting take on it, Linda. As an English speaker I have a problem with the Danish pronunciation of "e" and "i". To my ears there is no difference. A relatively easy to pronounce name such as Anne in Danish sounds more like Anna, and yet not at all. Teenage girls can be very offended when I mispronounce their name in class. ;-)

In Greenland, because Greenlanders know their language is a challenge, it was my experience that they fully applaud people trying to speak it. There is a lot more leeway and a lot of sympathetic smiles. I always say I knew enough Greenlandic to get into trouble, but not enough to get out of it.

And no worries about Maratse. He knows how you feel about him. :-)

Expand full comment
Linda Datko's avatar

Very happy that I will now be saying David's last name properly! Thank you!!

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Thanks, Linda. But you know, Maratse didn’t mind. ;-)

Expand full comment
Cheryl Chase's avatar

Awesome! Like Dave I was saying Petra like petrol...until I met you in Iceland and heard you say it! I loved this video and if I were actually going to "say" those longer words on my head while reading I'd need to watch many more times or use a "slow-downer" lol. I especially just loved seeing your face! Keep them coming - maybe you could run through the list of words and the place names on the map that you always include at the beginning of each book.

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Thanks, Cheryl! I think, judging by everyone's reaction, this video might be well overdue. As for potential pronunciations, yes, I like your ideas. I think it will be good to keep the videos short, and add a few snippets of background info to each one where relevant. as for slowing down the video... quite by accident, I discovered you can do just that on Substack. Of course, I went the wrong way, and speeded myself up! Petra tomorrow. ;-)

Expand full comment
JANE  F KILTHAU's avatar

Thank you, fun pronunciation video and informative too.

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Thanks, Jane. Petra tomorrow. ;-)

Expand full comment
megan beidl's avatar

An eye opener. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Thanks, Megan. :-) Another one tomorrow.

Expand full comment
Eileen Allen's avatar

That was great. Thank you so much!

Eileen

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Thank you, Eileen. You prompted me. I need to keep going and get through the other characters. :-)

Expand full comment
Dave Bennett's avatar

Fantastic! I've been saying them all correctly - but much more slowly than you - except the East Greenlandic 'yes' and 'no'! Those are quite clipped, and I was mispronouncing the 'J' in 'iiji'.

I may have gotten good marks on THIS test . . but I can already see trouble ahead, when you said 'Peetra'! For years I've been saying 'Petra' (short e) in my head and it's going to be hard to change! But I will try! 😊

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

Yep, the extra 'e' in Petra's pronunciation is rather Danish. But Petra as we would say it in English (and German, I think) works. She's good at German, remember. :-)

Expand full comment
Dave Bennett's avatar

I am glad you don't use Maratse's middle name, or his east coast home's name, very often -- that would slow down my reading speed noticeably! (unfortunately, I guess, I always have to say these exotic Greenlandic words in my head before moving on!) 🥴

Expand full comment
Christoffer Petersen's avatar

I'm desperately trying to find my notes (that is, a book with a list of Greenlandic names) because I think Qilingatsaq is Greenlandic for Christopher, which explains why I decided to use it. ;-)

Expand full comment