This is part of my ongoing series on the Mahabharat, an epic poem of ancient India. For links to all previous Mahabharat posts go here. Or you can simply click on the Mahabharat page link above.
Last week we started our Mahabharat vlog series where I began to teach you how to pronounce the names in the Mahabharat epic. Here's the link if you missed it.
And now here's the first reading:
And here's the post I'm reading from, entitled The King is Dead, Long Live the King.
Friday, May 27, 2011
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36 comments:
Great reading!
Thanks for explaining how to pronounce everything--I know I would definitely be doing it wrong otherwise. :P
The Mahabharat names can be tough on people not fluent with the Hindi Language. You are doing a great job explaining how to pronounce the names right.
rats... will have to catch up once the new speakers arrive, monday
meanwhile, i sit... soundless :(
So cool to hear the true pronunciations, not the ones I'd imagined (that were soooo wrong, LOL).
Golden Eagle, it's my pleasure! Glad to know you're enjoying this vlog series. And thanks so much for the award. It was lovely to swing by your site and see that.
Jai
Rachna, thanks! I'm doing what I can with the time I have. It's not nearly enough but it's still fun.
Jai
Laughingwolf, hope those speakers reach you soon. I don't know what I'd do without being able to listen to stuff on youtube.
Jai
Lydia, yes, it's easy to think they're supposed to be pronounced one way when it's actually a different way. Glad to be of service.
Jai
Very, very interesting. And as you know I'm a sucker for accents and pronunciation. The way you pronounce the 'R' is similar to the Spanish single one, but with more tongue relaxation.
Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
Cuban, looks like you were commenting here while I was off commenting on your blog (which had a really interesting post, by the way).
We do roll our r's in Sanskrit and most Indian languages. But we have different types of r's too. Linguists say that people who learn to speak Sanskrit have a linguistic advantage over everyone else because they use all the different parts of their mouths, while other languagues are much more limited.
Jai
Where would we be without youtube? So great to be able to get just about anything you want.
Denise<3
That was one fantastic reading, Jai! Enjoyed every bit of it! :)
Informative post indeed. My name has been pronounced in so many ways, sometimes cut and sometimes really offensive.
like i said in your previous post, got em... work well!
as for worthiness, works in families/friendships, too... all based on trust
while one can love one's family, they are not necessarily worthy of your trust, most unfortunately :(
Denise, the instant gratification that is youtube is both a blessing and a curse. I love it.
Jai
Hema, thanks! I try my best.
Jai
Munir, I know the feeling!
Jai
Laughingwolf, that's a very good point. And it turned out to be true in the Mahabharat too. The Pandavas and Kauravas were cousins but even though the Pandavas tried their best to love their cousins, the Kauravas were not worthy of it.
Jai
I enjoyed your reading thank you.
I would agree on the subject of most Indians being good linguists. Surely part of it is about having to be multilingual to get by in much of India?
My Indian relatives seem to struggle with the pronunciation of 'W' as in water. I notice that even with my father and aunt who both had English as a first language but grew up in Madhya Pradesh. Dad left India in his 20s but still retains his accent, my aunt remained in India until her 50s.
Also interestingly most Indians seem to miss-hear the Aussie accent on 'mate' almost universally when someone from the subcontinent says 'mate' they mispronounce our drawl into 'might' (at least to an Aussie ear)
Thanks
Very interesting post Jai. Not many kings would sidestep their bloodline.
Jai, I have missed so much in the blogging world, lately, and it was nice to just sit back and listen to your lovely voice pronounce and read. I've been in a studying craze, these past couple of weeks, and it's been difficult to go around and read anything at all! So thank you for making this a relaxing visit for me... and an enjoyable one, as well!
Nevine
Al, it would depend on what regional language they speak but most Indian languages pronounce 'w' in a much softer way than it's spoken in English, almost like a 'v'. In some 'w' and 'v' is interchangeable.
Also, I'm guessing they mishear 'a' because of the Aussie accent which slants the vowel in a way that is peculiar. To someone not attuned to it, "mate" would certainly sound like "might".
Jai
LeRoy Dean, it's my pleasure. Welcome to my blog!
Jai
Elizabeth, precisely. He passed down a most important ideal.
Jai
Nevine, I totally know what you mean! It's been hard for me to keep up with the blogging world recently, except to post a few vlogs and read a few blogs.
But it's lovely to see you around. I hope that studying is going well.
Jai
This was a very awesome v-blog.
I work in semiconductors, and of my co-workers I have known over 12 years, I am one of two Texans, and in my group I am the only native-born US citizen.
Point is, I work with a lot of unpronounceable people. I ask each time I meet someone how to properly pronounce and spell their name, and if they chose a Western name, I ask for their birth name.
So this post hits a key point. NAME, and how you speak it, is VERY important to those who hear it.
The Japanese usually call me Erica, and usually Erica-san.
Erica in English is a chick's name.
And in Japanese, it's improper for me to call them by their first name, or neglect the -san.
See the difference? Pronunciation, and usage, are key points.
- Eric
Oh, I have pronounced the names wrong! Thanks for the video.
I can't believe he didn't choose one of his children. He is truly a respectful leader.
LOVE!
Eric, that's exactly it. Names and pronouns vary from culture to culture and the slightest difference in pronunciation can make a big difference in meaning.
It's also very nice of you to make a point of getting names right. It actually upsets me how people of different cultures chose to use western names because they know that otherwise the pronunciation of their name will be butchered. No one should have to change their name to accomodate someone else.
Jai
tywo,
King Bharat gave a true ideal to India and that's why the country is named after him.
Jai
your voice is so beautiful.
have you considered doing a e-book to explain your publishing journey...mapping out your follow up as well?
Texas sized hugs
Very informative. This is more than just pronunciations.
Paige, I've got Book Tour Book almost entirely written up. I just need to publish it which I will do within the next year or so.
Jai
Theresa, thanks! I try to multi-task as much as I can.
Jai
I love the story! It's always moved me to read stories of those in power who chose this type of path rather than the typical, expected route. It's one of the reasons I chose the material for my last ms, in fact.
Victoria, I look forward to learning more about your latest manuscript!
Jai
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