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General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: annew on January 15, 2015, 11:14:11 AM

Title: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: annew on January 15, 2015, 11:14:11 AM
I was looking at my Hamamelis 'Jelena' today, and wondering how to pronounce the 'Jelena' part. It s named for Jelena de Belder, a Belgian plant hunter.
Is it Jell-ena, Jell-ena, Yell-ena, Jell-eena, Yell-eena.....?
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: John85 on January 15, 2015, 11:52:28 AM
Anne
Do you want the Flamish or the French pronunciation because there isn't something like the Belgian language.I remember talking to her in both languages.
But as Jelena is from Yougoslavian origin I guess that would be the best way to prononce it.
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 12:06:22 PM
If anyone cares : I say  - Yaylayna     :)
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: LucS on January 15, 2015, 02:25:13 PM
If anyone cares : I say  - Yaylayna     :)
Try  "jee-lee-na" with a Belgian "j" and not an English "dz"
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: annew on January 15, 2015, 03:13:22 PM
But as Jelena is from Yougoslavian origin I guess that would be the best way to prononce it.
Which way is that?  ???
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: annew on January 15, 2015, 03:14:21 PM
Try  "jee-lee-na" with a Belgian "j" and not an English "dz"
What is a Belgian 'J'?
I'm getting very confused.  ::)
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: johnw on January 15, 2015, 03:37:28 PM
What is a Belgian 'J'?
I'm getting very confused.  ::)

Same as the Dutch J.  Maggi will know it, of that I am certain.
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Hoy on January 15, 2015, 03:38:10 PM
Anne, don't be confused. Try a Norwegian j. Then "je" in Jelena is like "ye" in yellow. Very easy.
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Steve Garvie on January 15, 2015, 03:47:18 PM
Try yodeling (or is it Jodeling?) a Swiss J!
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 03:52:59 PM
Same as the Dutch J.  Maggi will know it, of that I am certain.

 Oh yes, I know that one!
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 03:54:08 PM
Anne, have you thought of getting rid of that  plant and growing 'Diane'   instead?   ::) :P ;D
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Alan_b on January 15, 2015, 04:10:32 PM
A few months ago i enquired about the correct pronunciation of a botanical term applied to snowdrops and was roundly taken to task for the notion that there could ever be a single correct pronunciation.  On that basis I would say that it doesn't matter how you pronounce it except when you are speaking to the lady in question in which case try to get her to introduce herself first and then pronounce her name the same way she does.   
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 04:27:45 PM
Very likely a good idea - were one to meet the lady. It's not quite the same as the speaking of a latinised term, though, I guess!
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 15, 2015, 05:31:32 PM
Jelena did so much for the Belgian horticulture and her garden in Kalmthout is stil a holy place. She died in 2003 and I was so lucky to meet her twice.
About the Belgian 'J' ,............. simply like "yes " .
So you can use your own language in a certain way ....
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 05:43:45 PM
I have a lovely plant of Hamamelis  x intermedia 'Jelena' and in the sunshine the other day "she" was just glowing with a mass of beautiful  flowers.  One of my favourite  shrubs here - I love the way you catch the scent but you hardly spot the flowers until the sun hits them when they suddenly are ablaze with colour and you cannot understand how you could have missed them before.
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: annew on January 15, 2015, 06:26:37 PM
I'm going for Yell-enna.  :)
Anne, have you thought of getting rid of that  plant and growing 'Diane'   instead?   ::) :P ;D
I have that one as well. Is it DYE-ann, or Dee-ANNE?
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2015, 06:33:00 PM
Beats me- I'm  resting  in a darkened room with  tape measures from Russia,  Japan and Greece! (Don't ask!)
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: Alan_b on January 15, 2015, 06:39:53 PM
Thank you, Kris, I have been to Kalmthout but I never found out about its origins.  There was a fantastic collection of Hamamelis there but I wished I had brought Wellington boots when I was looking round them.
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 15, 2015, 06:51:26 PM
I have a lovely plant of Hamamelis  x intermedia 'Jelena' and in the sunshine the other day "she" was just glowing with a mass of beautiful  flowers.  One of my favourite  shrubs here - I love the way you catch the scent but you hardly spot the flowers until the sun hits them when they suddenly are ablaze with colour and you cannot understand how you could have missed them before.

A wonderful tribute to Jelena Maggi . Her spirit is safe .....
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 15, 2015, 06:54:13 PM
Thank you, Kris, I have been to Kalmthout but I never found out about its origins.  There was a fantastic collection of Hamamelis there but I wished I had brought Wellington boots when I was looking round them.

I know what you mean Alan . It is a bit amazing because the area where she used to live is known as dry with mostly sand....
But true , Jelena's garden is very often a wet place.. 
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on January 15, 2015, 06:56:05 PM
I'm going for Yell-enna.  :)I have that one as well. Is it DYE-ann, or Dee-ANNE?

Hi Anne , the second one is the right one . Now you learn fast ....
Title: Re: How to pronounce this in Belgian?
Post by: annew on January 16, 2015, 03:08:13 PM
 ;D ;D
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