This coming weekend’s first reading offers a challenge not only for Israelites unused to the prospect of universal salvation, but also those who must pronounce these names of places far away and long ago. Check out Isaiah 66.19:
I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
How do you suggest we prepare our lectors for upcoming pronunciation hurdles? What has worked well for you, something better than a quick review in the sacristy a few minutes before Mass?
16 August 2010 at 4:31 pm
Send them an email with this link, which includes among many other things links to pronunciations of these words:
http://www.lectorprep.org/ordtime_21_yrC.html
I do think aural example works best. Relying on IPA is good as a check, but not for the initial teaching.
16 August 2010 at 8:33 pm
I’m on vacation and away from my bookshelf but I’ll bet that LTP’s Lector Workbook has sidebar help on pronouncing the names of these locations.
16 August 2010 at 8:49 pm
I think you should take all your lectors to Tarshish, Put and Lud so they can hear the native pronunciation. (but will it be the pronunciation offered by LTP or other guides?)
17 August 2010 at 1:17 am
It doesn’t matter how they are pronounced. My rule of thumb is to decide in advance how to pronounce them, and when the time comes pronounce them that way with an air of confidence and authority.
17 August 2010 at 6:12 am
http://netministries.org/Bbasics/bwords.htm
Biblical Basics Pronunciation Guide allows the reader to hear the word and practice it out loud along with the experts. Always practice the reading standing since this is how we proclaim. Pronunciation and diction matter – a lot.