What is the rule of English pronunciation
 

I know this sounds strange but, can someone help me understand the rule of how things are pronounced so I don't look too foolish asking for directions to various places. For example, I've learned that Alnwick is pronounced Annick and Beauchamp (which I have pronounced the French way is actually Beecham). What is the rule? From what I can tell, it seems that the W is dropped from certain words, looks like the l in Alnwick is lost too. I don't want to butcher the English language on my next visit so any information will be most helpful. Thank you.

There is no rule. As the Earl of Spencer once said, the secret is in knowing the 'correct' pronunciation; it separates the dignified, refined aristocracy from the nouveau bourgeoisie (I believe his tongue was in cheek). The English are the only people who have corrupted their own language beyond recognition. The one thing of which you can be certain is that whatever you think is the correct pronunciation, isn't.

Actually, it's the Brits who are doing the butchering of the languages, IMO, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi
here's my own favorite example (I'm from the US)

Yes, Beauchamp is "Beecham"
and Beaulieu is "Bew-lee"

and when I was staying in a hotel on Beaufort Gardens in London, I tried
"Bew-fort" and got strange looks.
It's "Bo-fort."

The "w"s in the wicks and the wich-es are all dropped in pronunciation, I believe.

Hopeless cause,I'm afraid. One of my favorite examples is "Lafayette Street." In Nashville, it is pronounced "la FAY et." In New York City, "la fee et." Or, perhaps, "la fay et." No real emphasis on any of the 3 syllables in that New York example. But, in Nashville, you must strongly accent the second syllable or you are considered a rube.

Hi equi,

There are no rules for pronouncing proper nouns. It's just custom.

For example: Northamptonshire is Hants.

My favorite is from PG Wodehouse:

"His name is Moom."
"Moom?"
"Yes, it's spelled Moffom, but it's pronounced like Bluffingham."

Featherstonehough is Fenshaw.

Actually, Ira, Hampshire is Hants.

Coming from one who has nearby the village of Auchleven, pronounced Premnay (don't ask)

I'll never forget asking for directions to the Renaissance Hotel near Heathrow. We stopped to ask some folks in front of a pub. I asked if they knew where the "REN-aissance" Hotel was. The young man looked at me and said "Oh, you mean the "re-NAY-ssance". I was tempted to tell him that I knew what I meant, but let it pass in an effort to avoid an international incident.
((c))

you are right. No rules other than those of snobbery.
Foreigners who try to Anglicize the spelling of their names into English often end up with something they did not want.
Their English teacher in school told them one way, we pronounced a second way, and Britishers say it a third way. The results are often unusual.

If you're really interested, the BBC (I think) puts out a Dictionary of English Place names. It's about 400 pages and includes pronunciation.

My favorite is Mousehole.

Hi, I am English (not British but English and proud of it) and whilst i agree with rfb and mrwunrfl that we are somewhat responsible for bastardising our own language, this is partly due to the fact that we are a small nation which has withstood many outside influences and invasions yet absorbed many outside influences also.
This is evident in our absorbtion of words like cul-de-sac, chic, drole, premiere etc.
Many British place names in particular are a historical reminder of past invasions and often bear little resemblance to a English sounding word.

Historically, the higher levels of English society spoke either Latin or French as many of our past monarchs were not of English descent whilst the more humble Anglo Saxon spoke a cruder language.

It is noted that English is one of the hardest lanfguages in Europe to learn as there are more irregularities than French, Italian or Spanish etc which by & large follow more logical rules although all these plus English are descended from a latin root.

It is worth remembering that English is a more gutteral tongue related more closely to German and a word that has a softer sound in French or Italian is likely to have a harsher sound in English eg French origine (orizheene)
English origin (orijin) or French Belvoir (belvwoire) English Belvoir (Beever).

On a cynical note I wouldn't worry unduly (undewly!!) as there are plenty of British folk who have no idea as to the correct pronunciation of our own language so any errors you may make may well go undetected.....

Yea, but you have to love a country that calls those nasty things we call speed bumps, "sleeping policemen".

Thanks, FionaH, for that thorough explanation. Now I understand why, as Underhill informed, that y'all have an an English -to- English translation dictionary so that you know where you are going in your own "small nation".

Can someone tell me what is the correct pronunciation for "Reading" -- is it read as in present tense or read as in past tense? I have to change trains there on my way to Swansea. Thanks.

>Actually, Ira, Hampshire is Hants.<

Aggggggggggghhhhhhh!

I shall throw myself upon my sword. :)

An English accent is usually a prerequisite.

Hi Dallas,

Yes.

Thanks, Ira, but "yes" doesn't answer my question. Is Reading pronounced in past or present tense of read?

It's pronounced Read as in past tense.

I like Chomondelay (sort of chumley)

Culzean (sort of Cullane)

Worcester (sort of woester)

Leicester (lester)

There are aboslutely NO rules.