Hello travelers, last minute question. I am departing tomorrow for our guided England tour and our Welsh tour guide's name is Greig.

Can someone please tell me the proper pronounciation of his name, is it Greig like "green" or Greig like the word grey? I'd like to greet him properly

Thanks tremendously for the wonderful help so far. The advice has really made our itinerary much better.

neither. I thought that name was really Scottish, but it is pronounced greg (as the nickname for gregory). I think if he is the guide, he should introduce himself first, though.

I too think he should introduce himself first... "Hello, I'm Grieg ... etc" so then you will know how to say his name.

However, I would have probably pronounced it GREEG, like the Norwegian composer's name.

The Gaelic name "Gregor" (Griogair/ Griogal) is pronounced GRI-ger/ GRI-gal,coming from the Greek meaning watchful or watchman. Greig is another form of this name.

Alternatively you can try to be disingenuous and ask him how you should say his name!

Assuming you'll recognize him when you see him, i would go right up to him, extend my hand, and say, "Hello, I'm (stating your name)" and wait for him to tell you his.

It is most likely pronounced Greg, but it could be a "Welshification" of the name Craig. He will introduce himself to you so I wouldn't worry. If he doesn't then try Greg and he will correct it if it's wrong.

It's pronounced Bob... sheeesh...

Thanks for the comments I was trying to be more travel savvy and say his name before he announced it. I wanted to impress him

The reason I'm perplexed is because I mistakenly greeted our tour guide last year Mr. Davies as the American version "Davies" but the correct welsh pronounciation is like American "Davis". We had a very interresting conversation of Welsh pronounciations and I wanted to try to get it right off the bat this time

"Grand piano"? Or "luxury yacht"? Monty Python fans will understand...

"the American version "Davies" but the correct welsh pronounciation is like American "Davis"." Interested to know how these differ - I'd pronounce them the same !

DH (who is Welsh) reckons it's not a Welsh name - Scottish, Nowegian or South African ? There is a Welsh name 'Graig' which is pronounced 'Gryge'... Anyway, I guess travelinwifey knows the answer by now !

An American will typically pronounce "Davies" as "DAY veez".

As opposed to DAY-viss ?

Correct, I said Day-veez. Our guide pronounces it Day-viss.

Woo hoo! I'll be on a plane in 7 hours! The weather is going to be good too! Will write a trip report upon our return. We go Manchester to the Peaks District to the Cotswolds to Cambridge and then on to Paris 6 nights with one final night in Manchester.

Again, thanks for all your comments and all the assistance with travel plans.><

Hope you have a lovely time !

Hello travelers, I'm back and will be working on a trip report over the weekend.

Just FYI, his name was pronounced "Grey-g" and he did introduce himself before we had a chance to try to say his name

He said that he's been asked how to say his name since he was in grade school and did mention the Norwegian composer's pronounciation just like the earlier post!

In any event I highly recommend Dragon Tours for a personal driver and guide while touring the UK. It's the only way we'll travel the UK from now on. Prices for the personally guided tour are the same as touring with well known name tour companies without all the other tourists and other inconveniences involved

Welcome back - look forward to your trip report. So was he Welsh ? Not sure what grade school is

Grade school or elementary school = roughly equivalent to UK primary school, though schooling doesn't usually begin till 6 (kindergarten before that).

Hi Caroline_edinburgh, yes, he was Welsh, born & raised and lives near the Brecon Beacons area.

Yes, as Alan posted grade school is grades 1-6th in the US compared to UK's primary school.

Here is the first portion of my trip report, the England portion, and I will add the Paris portion later today.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ifey&fid=2

Oops, wrong link, here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35064319