I'm married to a Toews and I can confirm that most of the country just sees 'toes'. Except Quebec where she is a 'taos', which is pronounced like cows.
Toews is a Mennonite last name. In the German dialect that the Mennonites speak, the oe vowel combo is very common and makes a long a sound. Another typical Mennonite last name with the same combo and sound is Froese (pronounced like fraze).
The w->v thing is common to pretty much all Germanic languages.
8 Comments
TooL@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 3y
How to trigger Blackhawk fans, purposely mispronounce toews.
limelight79@lemm.ee · 4 pts · 3y
Punching down, I see.
Bo7a@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 3y
I'm married to a Toews and I can confirm that most of the country just sees 'toes'. Except Quebec where she is a 'taos', which is pronounced like cows.
ryan213@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 3y
So...why is it pronounced like that? He and Dustin By-foog-lin.
troyunrau@lemmy.ca · 7 pts · 3y
Toews is a Mennonite last name. In the German dialect that the Mennonites speak, the oe vowel combo is very common and makes a long a sound. Another typical Mennonite last name with the same combo and sound is Froese (pronounced like fraze).
The w->v thing is common to pretty much all Germanic languages.
Put the two together and you get "Taves". Tada.
ryan213@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 3y
Cool. Thanks!
MelanieJoy@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 3y
Can confirm!