Jeremy Paxman got a 2i in literature from Cambridge (didn't he?), and BBC presenters are given pronunciation guidelines. So he must be right. Yet this pronunciation doesn't tally with what we were taught in A level French, and Charlotte did base it on her experiences in Belgium. I did get an E however, perhaps I fell down on pronunciation. PS don't pick on me for not using the umlaut in Bronte, sorry but I never do as everyone knows who you mean anyway.
2006-10-24 10:46:24 · 9 answers · asked by filmwatcher59 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think that you are technically correct, but it has never occurred to me to pronounce it in any other way than that favoured by Jeremy Paxman. Have you read it? I first read it in school in an edition which was so incredibly old that it was by "Currer Bell" (Charlotte Bronte's pen name) and someone had torn out the last few pages, perhaps grieved by the sad ending. I assumed that everything turned out happily for the strangely assorted couple. It was years before I obtained an undamaged copy and found out the real ending!
2006-10-24 11:00:37 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did English Lit at University and got a First, and when we studied 'Villette', it was pronounced like Paxman says it, without the French-sounding 'y' in the middle. Vill-ette. I'm not saying that's the right way to pronounce the word, because clearly you're right, it's a French word and should be said 'Viy-ette', but when you're studying the novel in the context of English lit., Paxman's correct, I'd say.
2006-10-25 07:39:35 · answer #2 · answered by Sinead C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's probably pronounced Viyette in France/Belgium - but I've always said Villette.
2006-10-24 10:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by Hello Dave 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
large e book - multifaceted tale! i admire Lucy Snowe's angular character even greater desirable than Jane Eyre's. in case you enjoyed it study The Professor! No Bronte (Emily, Anne, Charlotte) novel ever dissapointed me.
2016-10-16 08:50:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Viy-ette" would be using Spanish/Portugese pronounciation where the "ll" is pronounced "y".
As this book is not influenced/set in Spain or Portugal, I think that Paxman might be right on this one.
2006-10-25 01:43:01 · answer #5 · answered by Elphaba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its Villette in the UK, I did it for A-level English lit and my Prof was a Oxford Grad with First class Honours. I'm with him!!!
2006-10-24 13:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Chey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vilyette
2006-10-24 12:29:10 · answer #7 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've read that book translated from English and the name was Villete, I don't think a translator would make such huge mistake.
2006-10-26 05:40:17 · answer #8 · answered by Kiara 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have always said "Villette", but I may be wrong.
2006-10-25 00:42:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋