How do you pronounce Hreppholar (in Iceland)?
 

I know this is exactly the place where I'll finally be able to answer this question! I've tried other internet searches, to no avail.

Hreppholar is in Iceland, and if I knew anything about the language I might be able to extrapolate a pronunciation. But, sadly I don't.

Anyone out there know the pronunciation?

Thanks so much!

LisaG

Just in case... make a flash card :)

Lisa, I know how to pronounce it but how do you describe that to someone?? I'll give it a try...

To make the "hr" sound you kind of breath out of your mouth as your tongue goes to the roof of your mouth.

"epp" is phonetic (like ep-ileptic).

"holar" is just like it looks and the "o" is like in "okay".

Actually, all of Icelandic is phonetic; the problem is they have sounds and letters we don't use in the English language. Hope this makes at least a little bit of sense! I think the most difficult part is Hr because that is not a sound in the English language. It's also what makes it so difficult to explain!

Let me know if you have questions and I'll try and do better!!

If we break "Hreppholar" down it sounds like this:

Hrepp: Start with the pronounciation of 'Shrek'. Drop the 'S' and then replace the 'K' sound at the end with a 'P' sound.

Hol : Hole (Like 'hole in the ground')

ar : R (Like the letter 'R')

Hreppholar. :-)

Thanks to austin and karlth! I think I have the idea of how it sounds now.....now which syllable is emphasized? I know things can sound very different depending on which syllable you stress (example--the word syllable!)

Nothing is too esoteric for this board!

Thanks again,

LisaG

It's Hrepp-holar. Not sure which syllable is emphasized but my guess is the first one. You're making me wish I paid more attention in school!