MGoT: Pronunciation Guide

Pronunciation has been something that has been discussed on here from time to time. We’ve been able to get some official pronunciations via interviews and the released promotional material. But now, from writer/script editor/lore master extraordinaire Bryan Cogman, comes the full official pronunciation guide posted over at the Making Game of Thrones blog. Hit the link or head past the break to see the full list.

Winter Is Coming: Taking a quick look over the list reveals only one major readjustment for me and I imagine for most of us. That is that ‘ser’ is not pronounced ‘SIR’ in the show but ‘SAIR.’ Not sure about that one, but the rest are close enough to what I had been pronouncing in my head all this time.

UPDATE: Bryan Cogman messaged me to clarify that many of these pronunciations may differ slightly from character to character based on the region they’re from, their background, etc. He mentioned “Ser” and “Qarth” as two examples. He also added that they have since changed the pronunciation of Lys to “leese” as “lise” sounded too much like, well, lice.

UPDATE: One other change from Bryan, the Pycell pronunciation is incorrect. It should be “Py-SELL” with the accent on the second syllable.

CHARACTER NAMES:
Aerys Targaryen – AIR-eez Tar-GAIR-ee-in
Alliser Thorne – AL-iss-er THORNE
Arya Stark – ARE-yuh STARK
Barristan Selmy – BAIR-iss-tin SELL-mee
Benjen Stark – BEN-jin STARK
Catelyn Stark – CAT-lin STARK (“cat” like the animal)
Cersei Lannister – SER-see LAN-iss-ter
Daenerys Targaryen – Duh-NAIR-iss Tar-GAIR-ee-in
Eddard Stark – ED-dard STARK
Gendry – GEN-dree (hard “g”)
Gregor Clegane – Gre-GOR Cli-GAIN
Hodor – HO-dor
Hoster Tully – HOSS-ter TULL-ee
Illyrio – Il-LEAR-ee-oh
Ilyn Payne – ILL-in PAIN
Irri – I-ree
Janos Slynt – JA-nos SLINT
Jeor Mormont – JEE-or MORE-mont
Joffrey Baratheon – JOFF-ree Buh-RATH-ee-un
Jon Arryn – JON AIR-in
Jorah Mormont – JOR-uh MORE-mont
Jory Cassel – JOR-ee Cuss-EL
Khal Drogo – KHAL DRO-go
Loras Tyrell – LOR-us TI-rul
Lysa Arryn – LIE-ssa AIR-in
Maester Luwin – MAY-ster LOO-win
Maester Pycelle – MAY-ster PY-sell
Myrcella Baratheon – Mer-SELL-uh Buh RATH-ee-un
Nymeria – Nigh-MEER-ee-uh
Petyr Baelish – PEE-ter BAY-lish
Pyp – PIP
Qotho – QUO-tho
Renly Baratheon – REN-lee Buh-RATH-ee-un
Rhaegar Targaryen RAY-gar Tar-GAIR-ee-in
Rickon Stark – RICK-on STARK
Rodrik Cassel – RAH-drick Cuss-EL
Samwell Tarly – SAM-well TAR-lee
Sandor Clegane – SAN-dore Cli-GAIN
Sansa Stark – SAHN-suh STARK
Septa Mordane – SEP-ta Mor-DAIN
Syrio Forel – SEER-ee-o For-EL
Theon Greyjoy – THEE-on GRAY-joy
Tommen Baratheon – TAH-min Buh-RATH-ee-un
Tyrion Lannister – TEER-ee-un LAN-iss-ter
Tywin Lannister – TIE-win LAN-iss-ter
Varys – VAIR-iss
Viserys Targaryen – Vi-SAIR-iss Tar-GAIR-ee-in
Walder Frey – WALL-der FRAY
Waymar Royce – WAY-mar ROYCE
Yoren – YOR-in

PLACES:
Asshai – Uh-SHY
Braavos – BRA-vos
Essos – ESS-os
Eyrie – EAR-ee
Harrenhal – HAIR-in-hall
Pentos – PEN-tos
Qarth – QUARTH
Sept of Baelor – SEPT OF BAY-lor
Vaes Dothrak – VIE-iss Doth-RACK
Westeros – WES-te-ros

MISCELLANEOUS:
Andals – AN-dals
arakh – Ah-rock
Dothraki – Doth-RACK-ee
khalasar – KHAL-uh-ssar
Khaleesi – Khal-EE-see
Lys – LICE
Ser – SAIR
Tyroshi – Ti-ROH-shee
Valyrian – Vuh-LEER-ee-un

• Published on 02/11/2011 at 5:13 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/31/2011 at 7:57 AM CDT