Eric Hobsbawm

Question

I need help with the pronunciation of the surname (Hobsbawm), please. How would an English-speaker pronounce it? Thanks in advance, Miriam

Miriam · Accepted Answer

Please?

Jack-in-the-box · Answer

I think the correct pronunciation is

hòbzboom

(the stress is on the first syllable; the vowel of the first syllable is the "o" of "dog"; after the "b" sound, you have to pronounce a voiced "s", i. e., a "z" sound, as in "zero"; in the second syllable, -boom, the vowel is a long "o", as in "door").

I hope it's clear enough.

Should you have any doubts about the correct pronunciation of English words, I suggest that you should consult J. C. Well's "Longman pronunciation dictionary" (2nd edition, 2000).

It was very nice to meet you (though it was only a virtual meeting). Good luck!

Miriam · Answer

It's nice to meet you too, Jack

And I thank you for your response. I had doubts about the pronunciation of the "s", or even the "bs", because I've heard people pronounce it "sh" (as in "show"). And, since most of my colleagues here are Argentinian like me, they are only as reliable as myself! ~L~

I have a good pronunciation Dictionary but it's a few years older than Longman's, and I couldn't find the surname in it.

Thank you again for your help.

Miriam

Haoqide · Answer

Hmmm...I've never come across this name before, but I'm a native English speaker, and I'd pronounce it like "hobbz-bawm".  "Hobbs" like you're saying the word "hobbies" but take out the "ie" sound, and then "bawm" (which I can't think of another explanation for).

Anonymous · Answer

http://www.pronounceitright.com/pronounce/2087/eric-hobsbawm

Eric Hobsbawm

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