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How do you say...?

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2009/02/02 - 8:44am

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I am an amateur historian of the War of American Independence. I am wondering how to pronounce the name of the American general, Philip Schuyler. Is it Shy-ler, Sky-ler, Shoo-ler, or Skoo-ler?

The closest thing I have come across is the Schuykill River. The Schuylkill River, most often pronounced /ËˆskuËkÉ™l/ ("SKOO-kull"), is a river in the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (thanks to Wikipedia.)

Thanks

Grant Barrett

San Diego, California

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2009/02/02 - 8:49am

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When I've had to come up with a historical pronunciation in the past, I tracked down the person's descendants. What you'll usually find, though, is that in the case of oddly spelled names the descendants don't agree.

Failing that, ask an academic historian. They're not guaranteed to be correct, either, but your odds are greater.

Martha Barnette

San Diego, CA

820 Posts

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2009/02/02 - 10:23am

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I'd have to agree with Grant, tvieno. As you've pointed out, there are too many different ways that name could go!

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2009/02/03 - 3:54am