How do you pronounce "caesure" ?

Book 1 of the Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

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How do you pronounce "caesure" ?

KAY-sher
3
8%
KAY-zher
1
3%
SEE-sher
3
8%
SEE-zher
21
54%
SI-sher
2
5%
SI-zher
0
No votes
KEE-sher
0
No votes
KEE-zher
0
No votes
kay-ZURE
2
5%
other
7
18%
 
Total votes: 39

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wayfriend
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How do you pronounce "caesure" ?

Post by wayfriend »

There's no wrong answer.

Personally, I favor a pronounciation that sounds like SI-sher, as if it was spelled "sisher", since this follows from the pronounciation of caesura, a real word.
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Post by Condign »

There are quite a few references - if I recall correctly - that mention its similarity to a migraine which could be loosley interpreted as a 'seizure'. Also it 'seizes' people in time... I could go on.
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Post by I'm Murrin »

Seizure. Though I don't actually pronounce the word 'seizure' with a 'z'.
From the spelling, this pronunciation just seemed logical.
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Post by Gart »

Seizure. That's how I read it...and that's how SRD pronounced it in the Q&A session :)
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Post by saera »

I'm picking the first alternative, although I pronounce it "KAYshur", not sher. ;)
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Post by wayfriend »

Condign wrote:There are quite a few references - if I recall correctly - that mention its similarity to a migraine which could be loosley interpreted as a 'seizure'. Also it 'seizes' people in time... I could go on.
Isn't it much more likely that it is related to "caesura", meaning break or interruption? Which is pronounced si-zyur-a or si-zhur-a.
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Post by Condign »

Quite possibly, and even more possible is that it was probably derived from both. I am almost certain that the root latin word is the same anyway... I should look it up.
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Post by burgs »

I think Donaldson's pronunciation should suffice.

Seizure.

Besides, when you think of how they were created, it's a perfect fit. I never thought of pronouncing it any other way.
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Post by Worm of Despite »

I usually pronounce it say-sher. If there's a correct pronunciation (or a Donaldson-sanctioned one), I didn't know about it, and it's too late to care anyway, since I'm so used to pronouncing it my way.
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Post by finn »

I guess if SRD pronounces it a particular way that is the way it should be interpreted, has that way been heard from SRD, Burg66?

As for myself I read it a Kayzure which I'd be inclined is think is phonentically correct. Siezure would come from Cea... Kaysure from Cae..

The word Ceasar is 'see zar' the German Kaiser is 'ki zar', both are derivatives of each other (as of course is Tsar 'zar' from Russia).

Having said that you yanks do have a knack for changing the spelling and pronounciation of the "English" language! :-)
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Post by Loredoctor »

I pronounce it 'seizure' as it makes sense as to the nature of the Caesure.
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Post by aTOMiC »

From the first moment I read that word my mind instantly pronounced it SAY-SURE. Right or wrong thats what I'm stuck with. :D
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Post by I'm Murrin »

finn wrote:Siezure would come from Cea... Kaysure from Cae..

The word Ceasar is 'see zar' the German Kaiser is 'ki zar', both are derivatives of each other (as of course is Tsar 'zar' from Russia).
The word is actually spelt caesar, not ceasar.
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Post by Nav »

Unless it's on a can of dog food for small, yappy-type dogs, then it's spelt Cesar.
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Post by Thaale »

Because it was italicized, I though of it in Latin fashion as KI-shur-a or ki-SHUR-a, with a long I.

If SRD says it's seizure, I'll make the mental switch. He could have prevented all the confusion by spelling it seizure, but whatever.

Why does Stave butt into Linden's account of the caesure to announce that, "We name them Falls"? Not really the point, is it, Stave? But I assume that had some significance to something.

And why are they called Falls? Because you feel like you're falling if one hits you? But it's not like there are a lot of Falls survivors around, other than Anele (and he calls them caesures).
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Post by Aleksandr »

And why are they called Falls?

Caesure is probably derived (like caesura) from Latin cadere, "to fall", via its participle, caesus.
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Post by CovenantJr »

finn wrote:I guess if SRD pronounces it a particular way that is the way it should be interpreted, has that way been heard from SRD, Burg66?
It has, at the Q&A session in Manchester. A few weeks back. Nav, Gart and I can vouch for that.

I voted for the way I pronounced it before I heard SRD say it: Sysher
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Post by Worm of Despite »

aTOMiC wrote:From the first moment I read that word my mind instantly pronounced it SAY-SURE. Right or wrong thats what I'm stuck with. :D
Oh yeah, another supporter of "say-sure!" :bounce03: Of course, we're both rocking musicians, as well, so it only makes sense! :wink:
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Post by AMOK »

The guy on the "Book on CD" pronounces it: se-ZHUR. Kinda French-like.
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Post by fightingmyinstincts »

I see the "ae" dipthong and give it the latin pronunciation...without even thinking...ah, the joy of being well trained...
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