Two readers speak up with requests for more online dictionaries that audibly pronounce words — following up on a reader question in the Dec. 22 Web Search.
Q I read the article in this morning’s Star Tribune about online dictionaries that pronounce the word. Are you aware of an online biographical dictionary that provides this service for the correct way to pronounce someone’s name — the names of popular authors such as Lisa Scottoline and Annie Proulx, for example? Now, the only way to know is to hear them interviewed on a talk show.
AL DOLLERSCHELL, ROCHESTER, MINN.
A Two of the sites I mentioned in that Web Search — the Free Dictionary (www.thefreedictionary.com), which uses American Heritage, and Merriam-Webster (www.m-w.com) — have many biographical entries for famous people. They include audio pronunciation for the surname. Just click on the speaker icon next to the name.
I used two conductors’ names as tests for accuracy: Leonard Bernstein (BERN-stine) and Leopold Stokowski (stuh-KOFF-skee). They had correct pronunciations for Stokowski. But while Merriam-Webster had Bernstein right, the Free Dictionary offered the common mispronunciation BERN-steen.
Unfortunately, both online dictionaries mainly have entries for historical figures, not bestselling authors or other current celebrities. I have been unable to find a comprehensive biographical dictionary online that contains your sample names and audio pronunciations. If any readers know of one, please send an e-mail.
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