How to Pronounce "Tolkien"?

[Urambo Tauro]

What is the proper way to pronounce Tolkien?
Tol(as in told)
Tol(as tall)
-kien(as ken)
-kien(as keen)
Or would he have liked the i and e seperate (as often found in his writings)... Tol-kee-en?

 

[Hammersmith]

With my English accent I'd say "Toll" "Kin", two syllables.

 

[Aulë]

According to dictionary.com, it is pronounced 'Toll-keen' or ''Toel-keen'
(The o being like pot or toe, and the ie being like bee).

I believe that that was based on what Tolkien wrote about the matter in one of his letters.

Edit: In fact, here it is:

The Letters of JRR Tolkien: Letter #347
I am nearly always written to as Tolkein (not by you): I do not know why, since it is pronounced by me always -keen.

 

[Barliman Butterbur]

According to dictionary.com, it is pronounced 'Toll-keen' or ''Toel-keen'
(The o being like pot or toe, and the ie being like bee).

I believe that that was based on what Tolkien wrote about the matter in one of his letters.

Edit: In fact, here it is: [JRR: "...it is pronounced by me always -keen."]

I would only add that TOL-keen is correct because that is correct German: the "ie" in German is prounounced like the "ee" in English.

Barley

 

[scotsboyuk]

I too pronounce it as 'Toll Kin'. I wonder if there is a pattern to regional variations on pronunciation of Tolkien?

 

[Elorendil]

I have to agree with Barley. I say it Tol-keen.

 

[Barliman Butterbur]

I too pronounce it as 'Toll Kin'. I wonder if there is a pattern to regional variations on pronunciation of Tolkien?

In America, there are different variations on the spelling: I've seen the name spelled as "Tolkin," and pronounced accordingly. But that's not the case with our good Professor.

Barley

 

[scotsboyuk]

I could be wrong in this regard, but I believe that the common pronunciation in Britain is 'Toll Kin'.

 

[Barliman Butterbur]

I could be wrong in this regard, but I believe that the common pronunciation in Britain is 'Toll Kin'.

True enough, but it is only common courtesy to pronounce another's name as he would like it to be pronounced, if one has the knowledge.

Barley

 

[scotsboyuk]

@Barley

Indeed, I shall endeavour to pronounce Tolkien as 'Toll Keen' from now on.

 

[Urambo Tauro]

Hear, hear!
Thanks!

 

[scotsboyuk]

Although, being British I shall probably stubbornly refuse to alter the way I pronounce it at the moment.

 

[Varda35]

I've known for a while that I should probably pronounce it Toll-keen, in fact at one point I always tried to say it that way. But when I did, people looked at me like I was crazy because everyone else around here says Toll-kin. So I gave in and just reverted to Toll-kin. But I think it's true that you should pronounce someone's name the way they wanted it to be pronounced and if the great professor indeed said that it should be pronounced Toll-keen then gosh darnit I'll try to honor that and my friends can look at me funny all they want!

 

[Maggot]

I will honour the greatest author ever by trying to say his name properly cheers guys for the correct pronunciation as I was unsure about how to pronounce it.

 

[Bethelarien]

Tolkien is a German name, as Barley said, and as Tolkien himself has said. So again, Barley is correct, it is pronounced Toll-keen. (I'm a German major, I should know these things, right?)

Concerning the British, I would assume it's like many words, where it would depend on what part of Britain you're from. I have a professor from Manchester, and he pronounces it Toll-keen.

 

[Hammersmith]

Tolkien is a German name, as Barley said, and as Tolkien himself has said. So again, Barley is correct, it is pronounced Toll-keen. (I'm a German major, I should know these things, right?)

Concerning the British, I would assume it's like many words, where it would depend on what part of Britain you're from. I have a professor from Manchester, and he pronounces it Toll-keen.

I speak Recieved Pronunciation. For me it'll always be "Toll" as in a toll bridge, "Kin" as in family.

 

[scotsboyuk]

@Hammersmith

Are you from the Home Counties by any chance? The rain in Spain ...

 

[Barliman Butterbur]

...if the great professor indeed said that it should be pronounced Toll-keen then gosh darnit I'll try to honor that and my friends can look at me funny all they want!

Way ta go, kid!!!

Barley

 

[Hammersmith]

@Hammersmith

Are you from the Home Counties by any chance? The rain in Spain ...

Surrey

But I don't play cricket

 

[scotsboyuk]

@Hammersmith

I rather liked cricket at school, rugby too.