Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
crwheeler
Posts: 34
Joined: October 3rd, 2011, 11:41 am
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Contact:

Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by crwheeler »

Just a bit confused on the pronunciation here. Only ever seen it in text and was wondering the correct way to say it out loud. I know it can be a bit tricky to give pronunciation advice with written words but thanks in advance.
User avatar
Natalie McNear
Posts: 1147
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:54 pm
Location: Northern coast of California

Re: Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by Natalie McNear »

Normally with binomial names, the emphasis is on the third-to-last syllable (or the first syllable, in two-syllable names). I've always pronounced Agkistrodon as ag-KISS-tro-don, and this is how I've heard others say it as well.
User avatar
walk-about
Posts: 567
Joined: June 14th, 2010, 12:04 pm
Location: 'God's Country' aka western KY
Contact:

Re: Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by walk-about »

And that would be correct.


RocK ON!


Dave


Natalie, BTW, that is an awesome mudder pic on you avitar. Very nice specimen.
crwheeler
Posts: 34
Joined: October 3rd, 2011, 11:41 am
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Contact:

Re: Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by crwheeler »

Thanks guys. The 'gk' combo was what was giving me grief. Couldn't figure out what to pronounce and what to leave out.
User avatar
chris_mcmartin
Posts: 2447
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 12:13 am
Location: Greater Houston TX Area
Contact:

Re: Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by chris_mcmartin »

crwheeler wrote:Thanks guys. The 'gk' combo was what was giving me grief. Couldn't figure out what to pronounce and what to leave out.
Pronounce that as a tongue-click, like a Kalahari Bushman.
User avatar
BillMcGighan
Posts: 2362
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
Location: Unicoi, TN

Re: Proper pronunciation of Agkistrodon

Post by BillMcGighan »

Chris, the gods are still crazy.


crwheeler, not all scientific names are Latin; some are more Greek, some English/Latin.

You'll hear differences in pronunciation, even with academics, often based upon their own background.
Folks who studied latin pronounced in the classical speech, say even common words differently that folks who studied Ecclesiastical Latin (or church Latin).


A common example is the word caesar (english - "see-zer"), as in Julius.


In Classical Latin "C" before "ae" is pronounced hard, like a "K".


In Ecclesiastical Latin "C" before "ae" is pronounced "CH".



Biological Latin has some of it's own rules.

This site may help:

http://courses.washington.edu/ehuf462/4 ... _latin.pdf
Post Reply