Talk:Gyllenhaal family
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Pronounciation
editCan someone indicate in an informative way how to pronounce "Gyllenhaal"? Is the 'G' hard or soft? I hear people say it both ways for Maggie and Jake.
Yes: By assuming the name is of Danish origin, it sounds like "Goo-lin-holl" with the "G" hard -- the "y" sounding like "ü" in the German "für", or the "u" in the French "tu" -- the "aa" is normally written "å", a deep "ohh" sound but more open towards "aah".
Don't fret too much about it, Danes can't pronounce "refrigerator".
Actually, the name is Swedish, not Danish. American members of the family pronounce the name "JILL-en-hall" with a soft "g." In Swedish, the initial "g" is pronounced similarly to the English "y", thus: "Yill-en-hall," with the major accent on the first syllable, and a minor rising accent on the final syllable. The "Gyllen-" part of the name literally means "golden" in Swedish, and was added as a prefix when the first member of the family, Nils Haal, was ennobled by Queen Christina of Sweden in the 17th century. See www.gyllenhaal.org (a family history site) for a discussion of the history of the name and a debate as to the meaning of "Haal." My authority for all of this? I have been married to a member of the family for many years, and know many family members in both the U.S. and Sweden.
Knighthood Letter
editAlthough the above term may be what is used customarily in this historical context; in English, this type of document is described as the plural-invariable letters patent. Perhaps this usage ought to be altered accordingly.