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Position:Home>Genealogy> Dutch-English speakers: how are these names pronounced? Is the "J" anQuestion:Grietje. Marretje. Margrietje Aaltye, or Aaltje. (And I'll take any Dutch/English translations, of course.) Thank you. Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Grietje. Marretje. Margrietje Aaltye, or Aaltje. (And I'll take any Dutch/English translations, of course.) Thank you. Grietje, Marretje ( My Mum's name ) and Margrietje are all Dutch forms of the flower name Margriet ( Dandelion ). Aaltje or Aaltye are short forms of Alida/Aleida. The je form is used in dutch often used to mean little. e.g Hond = Dog Hondje = Little Dog Originally probably meant as a term of endearment for babies,the je affix however often sticks for the rest of life. Pronounciation - The R's in dutch are usually harsher, stronger and more rolling than in English and more Scottish like. A double vowel Aa means a long vowel , as in Aardvark the J in this case is like the Y as in yes. the following E is more of an uh sound as in "Duh " The A in Marretje and Margrietje is a real A, often in certain English Dialects the A is pronounced as a sort of E. Don't do it , that's wrong use the A as in Cambodia ( not Cembodia ). The G is unpronounceable for native English speakers, it's a unique Dutch sound, any German or Englishman will end up with a sort of "k" sound which is all wrong. It's more throaty than anything in other languages. the IE in margrietje is like the ea in Sea Hope this helps. |