Seashells

 

 

First, I must say I use to collect seashells. But that is not why I gave Chelsea her name. 

Secondly, my daughter's prenom-first name is, "CHELSEA." My Father-in-law, a man of very few words, let alone English ones, said to me at her birth: "Chelsea is, "Sea-Shell, backward, non?"

The French pronounce CH as SH, my daughter's name, therefore, is pronounced, "Shel-sea".

When I was pregnant I mentioned to Yann that I liked the name; "Chelsea." Yann looked at me, mouthed the name without any sound coming out, then despite himself he said, "Chilli, you said Chilli!" That should have been my first indicator that English names were not pronounced the same in French, and picking a name that sounds the same in both countries should be foremost in importance.

But I didn't catch that name pronouncing detail back then.

English pronounce Yann as Yawn. French pronounce Corey as Core-Ay. Names like Anna sound the same as does Laura or Mark, well more or less the same, but not nearly as butchered as Chelsea. Chelsea was often called, "Jealsee" by her teachers when a child in school.

Luckily, in France everyone gets by with Monsieur or Madame, names are something reserved for a future relationship. Though, when you have a prenom that isn't French, you are left as a Madame Americaine forever.

Hence Gabriel sounds close enough Gay-briel in English, and Gab riel in French.

I just call him baby.

Comments

[Charland]

And what a most lovely baby.

[Momof5]

I have a friend Gabriel. When I first met her I pronounced her name Gab riel. She corrected me by saying no “Gabe riel like the archangel”. My father’s first language was French. Thus, my name, Michelle.

[Kathie B]

Czech in French is Tchèque. By the same logic: Tchelsea!

[Marilyn]

I would call him "sweetness".

[RMC]

in France, the name really matters little. The main thing that you and the child liked.