I am looking for translations for the words "twin" and "sister". I have used babelfish and other sites but really want the pronunciation not just foreign writings I can't decipher. Also, translations in other languages not listed such as different Native American tribal translations. Help?!
posted by madmamasmith on Oct 14, 2009 - 24 answers

How do you pronounce composer Charles Wuorinen's name? Which syllable is accented?
posted by mediareport on Jul 16, 2009 - 8 answers

I need some help deciphering (what I assume) is an Arabic name. [more inside]
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred on Apr 29, 2009 - 7 answers

Why do cities and countries have such vastly different names in different languages? [more inside]
posted by yellowbinder on Nov 23, 2008 - 11 answers

Unusual name filter: My first name is Irish and hard to spell and understand for most people. I have never had a nickname except for a juvenile one and various people making up a pronunciation of my name. But now I'm grown up and I constantly have to spell my name to people on the phone. [more inside]
posted by sio42 on Nov 14, 2008 - 55 answers

A few years back, an older Israeli man told me that my daughter's name, Kameya, meant "good luck charm" in ancient Hebrew. Was he just pulling my leg? [more inside]
posted by Gucky on Jun 19, 2008 - 6 answers

Is there such a thing as a common Italian surname? [more inside]
posted by yalestar on Oct 11, 2007 - 29 answers

LanguageFilter: Why does everyone spell Michael wrong (ie. put the e and the a the wrong way round)? [more inside]
posted by ranglin on May 21, 2007 - 71 answers

How do you pronounce the last name Vafai? I think that it is Iranian.
posted by ND¢ on Feb 12, 2007 - 8 answers

LanguageFilter: Cypriot. Cairene. Dubliner. These are beautiful, and I'd like more. Name some favourite or exotic words denoting city of origin or residence. And what is the word for this type of word? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard on Aug 8, 2006 - 76 answers

I am trying to find articles online which delve into the origins of naming human offspring and whether or not other species have audible monickers as well. [more inside]
posted by The Great Big Mulp on May 21, 2005 - 4 answers

Grammar/StyleFilter: What is the accepted adjective form to describe something written in the style of Hemingway? Hemingway-esque? Hemingway-ian? Something else altogether? With a hyphen or without? And moving from the specific to the general, is there a hard and fast rule for when we use one of these particular endings (-ian, -ean, -esque, etc.) to turn a proper noun into an adjective, or is the style dictated simply by what seems to sound right?
posted by .kobayashi. on Jul 17, 2004 - 14 answers