How do *you* pronounce "Walther?"

St_Genesius · October 9, 2002, 01:26 PM

As I've called around the past few days looking for prices on P99s, I've heard every concievable mutation of this name. As a child, I first heard the name "Walther" in whichever James Bond film it was that had the famous line about the PPK. In my memory, the villian said (phonetically) "Walter."

So, I always thought the H was silent.

After being laughed at a couple of times counter clerks, I adopted their more phonetic "Walther"...only to have the next clerk correct me with "Walter" again. Then, a couple of stores later, I came across a woman who pronounced it "Valther," which makes some sense given the Germanic rules of grammar. Then, just so I had a complete set, I had one man insist that it was "Valter."

So now I just ask for "The P99 in 9mm."

As a student of literature and linguistics, these things interest me, so could someone help me out?

longeyes · October 9, 2002, 01:30 PM

VAL-ter, if you want the German way. That's my understanding.

But Americans will Americanize. Fiocchi is rightly pronounced FYO-key in Italian but you'll a variety of pronunciations in gunshops.

BigG · October 9, 2002, 01:34 PM

According to the German pronunciation, it would be Valta (er), or as we say Walter. Walther is the way Americans say it. Think of Thomas. Do you say THomas?

St_Genesius · October 9, 2002, 01:36 PM

--Think of Thomas. Do you say THomas?--

Well, I don't, but some of the clerks I met might...

VVG · October 9, 2002, 01:59 PM

Don't worry about it! Some of the people who say "Porsha" for Porsche say "Volkswagon" instead of "folksvagen". So if a "Fau Vay" doesn't cost enough to earn native pronounciation, neither does a Walther - especially one marked "Springfield, MA USA".

Northern Germans, Southern Germans, Swiss, and Austrians each have slightly different pronounciation (ignoring regional dialects, which are not understandable to "Amis"). I don't hear any Gun Shop Commandos talking about "ZIG ZAURS" or "TSIG TSAUERS", two possible, approximate regional pronounciations.

German has compound words, which are great fun. I had to occasional briefings to Bundeswehr (army), Zoll (customs), and Bundesgrenzshutz (Federal Border Police) units. My favorite was "Rettungshubschrauberfleigerin" - female medevac helicopter pilot....

Loading an M1 Garand, auf Deutsch:

Patrone ins Lager schieben, Handkante gegen den Spanngriff und mit dem Daumen den Zubringer nach unten drücken, Spanngriff mit der Handkante leicht zurückziehen bis das Gasgestänge ausrastet....

THAT's why we won the war!

St_Genesius · October 9, 2002, 02:10 PM

So, there's no real consensus, eh?

Ok.

I like Valter the best, I think. It's the cleanest sounding, without the clumsy W or TH sounds.

What was especially amusing about my calls/visits to various shops is that whichever option I chose for that shop was invariably the wrong one for that clerk.

CZ Gunner · October 9, 2002, 02:20 PM

.... WALT - HER

aquapong · October 9, 2002, 02:29 PM

I don't think the Germans care how we pronounce the name as long as we keep buying their P99's. I say "wall-ther" the second syllable pronounced as in "thermos."

Tamara · October 9, 2002, 02:35 PM

You could always ask mussi, T. Stahl, lendringser or Krautgunner.

Myself, "Walther" is one of those German words I pronounce in "when in Rome" fashion: If I ask about a VAHL-ter at the local shop, I'll get a blank stare, but if I inquire about a WAUL-ther, they'll know what I'm talking about. I avoid the pronunciation of the other most mispronounced German semiautos by referring to my P7 as an "aitch-kay"

St_Genesius · October 9, 2002, 02:40 PM

--Myself, "Walther" is one of those German words I pronounce in "when in Rome" fashion: If I ask about a VAHL-ter at the local shop, I'll get a blank stare, but if I inquire about a WAUL-ther, they'll know what I'm talking about. I avoid the pronunciation of the other most mispronounced German semiautos by referring to my P7 as an "aitch-kay"--

LOL!

If only I could afford an Aitch-Kay...

I got more than a few blank stares during my inquiries and had one guy ask "WALL-tur? Whut's tha-eet?"

LiveWire · October 9, 2002, 03:09 PM

Vahl-tuh, if you want to be true to German phonetics.

I say Walter, as in Cronkite.

The way I pronounce Neanderthal, however, is accurately German. Nay-AHN-duh-tall, not Nee-AN-der-thall.

LiveWire · October 9, 2002, 03:30 PM

By der vay, meine Dammen und Herren, how do you prrronounce Volkswagen? Volks-wagon, or Fohks-vahg-n?

FPrice · October 9, 2002, 03:31 PM

VALTHER.

You're Velcome.

denfoote · October 9, 2002, 03:46 PM

Quote:

By der vay, meine Dammen und Herren, how do you prrronounce Volkswagen? Volks-wagon, or Fohks-vahg-n?

"KAFER" (sp)--- Beetle!!!!

BigG · October 9, 2002, 03:49 PM

Livewire: Scheiss by any other name is still Scheiss.

Actually, your second way is pretty good, imho. Fohlksvagun

Edward429451 · October 9, 2002, 04:10 PM

Walter, huh? Cool. I never corrected my polish MIL when she pronounced it like that. I'd just smile to my all knowing self cause I knew it was pronounced Wal-ther...!

MitchSchaft · October 9, 2002, 04:13 PM

Quote:

I like Valter the best

You ain't no German. It's pronunced Wall-Ter

.

m14nut · October 9, 2002, 04:19 PM

pronounced "Dependable Shooter"!

blades67 · October 9, 2002, 04:30 PM

Like it sounds.

T.Stahl · October 9, 2002, 05:30 PM

(Mocking Seaman Quist in "Captain Horatio Hornblower")

She knows my name!

She knows my name!

(Cooling down)

Well, I think "Valter" is close enough. Definitely without a "tee-aitsch."

Oh, and as for the other manufacturer, Heckler & Koch, well, just think about the Spanish word for . . . balls.

Or call them something like Haw-Kaw.

I think you'd be surprised to hear how Germans pronounce some brand names, like Para Ordonnanz, Magg-Tesch, Magg-Tekk or Fi-jodd-shee.

Blackhawk · October 9, 2002, 05:41 PM

When you youth a lispth around here saying Walther, nobody lookth at you funny like they do if you really do have a lisp....

St_Genesius · October 9, 2002, 06:02 PM

Well...I'm glad we've cleared up all the confusion...

bokchoi · October 9, 2002, 06:27 PM

I just pronounce it Walther, for the same reason I don't pronounce HK as "HEK-luh oond Koeghahzngdkfqgfnga@!~~~"

New_comer · October 9, 2002, 08:20 PM

Walther?

"PEE-PEE-KAY" !

VVG · October 9, 2002, 08:23 PM

When y'all get consensus on Walther, we'll move on to CZ.....

October 9, 2002, 01:26 PM	#1
St_Genesius Member Join Date: October 7, 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	*How do you* pronounce "Walther?"** As I've called around the past few days looking for prices on P99s, I've heard every concievable mutation of this name. As a child, I first heard the name "Walther" in whichever James Bond film it was that had the famous line about the PPK. In my memory, the villian said (phonetically) "Walter." So, I always thought the H was silent. After being laughed at a couple of times counter clerks, I adopted their more phonetic "Walther"...only to have the next clerk correct me with "Walter" again. Then, a couple of stores later, I came across a woman who pronounced it "Valther," which makes some sense given the Germanic rules of grammar. Then, just so I had a complete set, I had one man insist that it was "Valter." So now I just ask for "The P99 in 9mm." As a student of literature and linguistics, these things interest me, so could someone help me out?

October 9, 2002, 01:30 PM	#2
longeyes Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2000 Location: True West Posts: 1,350	VAL-ter, if you want the German way. That's my understanding. But Americans will Americanize. Fiocchi is rightly pronounced FYO-key in Italian but you'll a variety of pronunciations in gunshops. __________________ "You come far, Pilgrim." "Feels like far." "Were it worth the trouble?" "Ah...what trouble?" ~Jeremiah Johnson

October 9, 2002, 01:34 PM	#3
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	According to the German pronunciation, it would be Valta (er), or as we say Walter. Walther is the way Americans say it. Think of Thomas. Do you say THomas? __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

October 9, 2002, 02:20 PM	#7
CZ Gunner Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 799	.... WALT - HER __________________ Gunner "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." -- Vegitius, c. 375 AD

October 9, 2002, 02:35 PM	#9
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	You could always ask mussi, T. Stahl, lendringser or Krautgunner. Myself, "Walther" is one of those German words I pronounce in "when in Rome" fashion: If I ask about a VAHL-ter at the local shop, I'll get a blank stare, but if I inquire about a WAUL-ther, they'll know what I'm talking about. I avoid the pronunciation of the other most mispronounced German semiautos by referring to my P7 as an "aitch-kay" __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

October 9, 2002, 01:36 PM	#4
St_Genesius Member Join Date: October 7, 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	--Think of Thomas. Do you say THomas?-- Well, I don't, but some of the clerks I met might...

October 9, 2002, 01:59 PM	#5
VVG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 645	Don't worry about it! Some of the people who say "Porsha" for Porsche say "Volkswagon" instead of "folksvagen". So if a "Fau Vay" doesn't cost enough to earn native pronounciation, neither does a Walther - especially one marked "Springfield, MA USA". Northern Germans, Southern Germans, Swiss, and Austrians each have slightly different pronounciation (ignoring regional dialects, which are not understandable to "Amis"). I don't hear any Gun Shop Commandos talking about "ZIG ZAURS" or "TSIG TSAUERS", two possible, approximate regional pronounciations. German has compound words, which are great fun. I had to occasional briefings to Bundeswehr (army), Zoll (customs), and Bundesgrenzshutz (Federal Border Police) units. My favorite was "Rettungshubschrauberfleigerin" - female medevac helicopter pilot.... Loading an M1 Garand, auf Deutsch: Patrone ins Lager schieben, Handkante gegen den Spanngriff und mit dem Daumen den Zubringer nach unten drücken, Spanngriff mit der Handkante leicht zurückziehen bis das Gasgestänge ausrastet.... THAT's why we won the war!

October 9, 2002, 02:10 PM	#6
St_Genesius Member Join Date: October 7, 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	So, there's no real consensus, eh? Ok. I like Valter the best, I think. It's the cleanest sounding, without the clumsy W or TH sounds. What was especially amusing about my calls/visits to various shops is that whichever option I chose for that shop was invariably the wrong one for that clerk.

October 9, 2002, 02:29 PM	#8
aquapong Member Join Date: September 27, 2002 Posts: 72	I don't think the Germans care how we pronounce the name as long as we keep buying their P99's. I say "wall-ther" the second syllable pronounced as in "thermos."

October 9, 2002, 02:40 PM	#10
St_Genesius Member Join Date: October 7, 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	--Myself, "Walther" is one of those German words I pronounce in "when in Rome" fashion: If I ask about a VAHL-ter at the local shop, I'll get a blank stare, but if I inquire about a WAUL-ther, they'll know what I'm talking about. I avoid the pronunciation of the other most mispronounced German semiautos by referring to my P7 as an "aitch-kay"-- LOL! If only I could afford an Aitch-Kay... I got more than a few blank stares during my inquiries and had one guy ask "WALL-tur? Whut's tha-eet?"

October 9, 2002, 03:09 PM	#11
LiveWire Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 281	Vahl-tuh, if you want to be true to German phonetics. I say Walter, as in Cronkite. The way I pronounce Neanderthal, however, is accurately German. Nay-AHN-duh-tall, not Nee-AN-der-thall.

October 9, 2002, 03:30 PM	#12
LiveWire Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 281	By der vay, meine Dammen und Herren, how do you prrronounce Volkswagen? Volks-wagon, or Fohks-vahg-n?

October 9, 2002, 03:31 PM	#13
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	VALTHER. You're Velcome. __________________ Frosty Price "No matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Banzai

October 9, 2002, 03:49 PM	#15
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	Livewire: Scheiss by any other name is still Scheiss. Actually, your second way is pretty good, imho. Fohlksvagun __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

October 9, 2002, 04:10 PM	#16
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Walter, huh? Cool. I never corrected my polish MIL when she pronounced it like that. I'd just smile to my all knowing self cause I knew it was pronounced Wal-ther...!

October 9, 2002, 04:19 PM	#18
m14nut Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 375	pronounced "Dependable Shooter"! __________________ Support Our Troops -o\[[[[[[[/o-

October 9, 2002, 04:30 PM	#19
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	*How do you* pronounce "Walther?" Like it sounds. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat**! I hunt, therefore I am.

October 9, 2002, 05:30 PM	#20
T.Stahl Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: near Stuttgart/Germany Posts: 376	(Mocking Seaman Quist in "Captain Horatio Hornblower") She knows my name! She knows my name! (Cooling down) Well, I think "Valter" is close enough. Definitely without a "tee-aitsch." Oh, and as for the other manufacturer, Heckler & Koch, well, just think about the Spanish word for . . . balls. Or call them something like Haw-Kaw. I think you'd be surprised to hear how Germans pronounce some brand names, like Para Ordonnanz, Magg-Tesch, Magg-Tekk or Fi-jodd-shee.

October 9, 2002, 05:41 PM	#21
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	When you youth a lispth around here saying Walther, nobody lookth at you funny like they do if you really do have a lisp....

October 9, 2002, 06:02 PM	#22
St_Genesius Member Join Date: October 7, 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 52	Well...I'm glad we've cleared up all the confusion...

October 9, 2002, 06:27 PM	#23
bokchoi Member Join Date: April 8, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 77	I just pronounce it Walther, for the same reason I don't pronounce HK as "HEK-luh oond Koeghahzngdkfqgfnga@!~~~" __________________ Hoplophobia (n.): The irrational fear of weapons, described by Freud as "a sign of emotional and sexual immaturity".

October 9, 2002, 08:20 PM	#24
New_comer Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2001 Location: Manila, Phil. Posts: 1,004	Walther? "PEE-PEE-KAY" ! __________________ Regards, New_comer USP9F, Remington 870 "It not in the size of the thing, it's how you use it..."

October 9, 2002, 08:23 PM	#25
VVG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 645	When y'all get consensus on Walther, we'll move on to CZ.....