So, it’s all very well reading about Meredith Pink’s Adventures in Egypt, but how do you go about pronouncing all those weird-looking ancient Egyptian names? Examples include: Nebkheperure, Smenkhkare, Meryre and Ankhesenamun.
The simple tip is that you emphasise the name of the God. So, for example, any name ending in ‘re’ has that ending pronounced ‘ray’.
I’ve put together this video-guide to demonstrate the correct pronunciation … I hope it helps ! (It’s best to watch it in full screen mode to see the sub-titles for how to pronounce the names)
Fiona Deal
Hi. I’m preparing an audio file for an art history class. How do you pronounce the name “Nakhtsaes” ?
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Hi, that’s an interesting one. I would say
Nukt – sar – es …
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Hi, how would you pronounce the god Mehetweret?
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Sorry for the delay in responding – have been in Egypt ! I think this one os pretty much as it sounds… Meh HET weh RET
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Would you please tell me the correct pronunciation for “Meretseger”, the cobra-headed goddess. There are several around but they can’t all be the right one lol! Many thanks.
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Hi Willow, in my view, it is MERET – exactly sit sounds, like Peret, followed by SAY- GER.
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Hi Fiona, Could you please help with the pronunciation of Senbebu, the overseer of Stonemasons? Many thanks!
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Hi Ally, I think it’s pretty phonetic, so I’d say SEN – BEB – OO. Sorry for delay, have had my head fully immersed in finishing book 10, just published. Fiona
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After 2 days and watching a video I still can’t figure out how to say Anubis’ wifes’ name, Anput. Is it ann-put or ann-puut?
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Hi Alyson, I would run with the former Ann-Put. If you think about Senenmut and the goddess Mut they are the shorter pronunciation. Hope that helps.
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Hi Fiona, I was wondering about the pronunciation of the queen, Satiah, I’m guessing it’s fairly phonetic, something like /satjah/? Thanks in advance!
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Hi Octavio, Yes, I my best guess would be Sat – eee – a. Never 100% sure of course, but hope that helps 🙂
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How would I say Akhenatem?
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Hi Lexi, it’s AK (as if you were starting to say the word ‘action’), then EN (as in the word ‘then’) then A (as in bar) then TEN (really tn, so you don’t pronounce the ‘e’). 🙂
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I was wondering how to pronounce one of the ¨gods¨ of ancient egypt. His name is Inheret.
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Hi Alexandra, I think that one is exactly as it sounds … in – heret. Thanks for getting in touch. Fiona
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