How to pronounce 'Rothschild'?

[Mikazo]

how do you normally say it? i think it's often not said correctly.

an english speaker is likely going to pronounce it "rahth-child," the second syllable pronounced exactly like the english word "child." however after having been immersed in the german language, and considering that rothschild is a german surname, i don't think it's really pronounced this way except among english speakers.

rothschild is comprised of two words, "rot" and "schild," meaning "red shield." (this is some sort of compound word because "red shield" would literally translate to "roter schild.") it would normally be pronounced in german as "rot-schild," the first syllable pronounced like the english "wrote" (with no 'th' sound at the end) and the second pronounced with a short i, as in 'it'.

this is something i was thinking about, as the name was mentioned in a german class and the professor pronounced it the second way.

[Sabine]

i may give some some insides here, as i am german native speaker.

you are right mikazo, it is pronounce as you "said" / wrote. it was funny for me, when i heard david speaking about the rothschild first time - not getting the sense by the sound what he mend ....

the name its-self comes from this story (and that' why the translation "roter schild" is not quiet correct):

mayer amschel rothschild (* 23. february 1744; † 19. september 1812 in frankfurt/main, germany) was the founder of the rothschild-dynasty. its ancestors lived here since the middle of 16th century in the jewish getto of the city frankfurt, the jew lane.

the houses in the jew lane were not described by house numbers, but by multi colour or special registered trade marks characterized. since the family lived over generations in „the house to the red sign “, which means "schild" in german, the surname „rothschild “ was already established in 17. century . it wasn't changed, when the rothschild's moved into „the house to the hinterpfann “. mayer amschels father, amschel moses rothschild, operated a business for trading with small goods and money exchanges in jew lane.

today in modern german we don't use "roth" for red but "rot" (which means red) - the "h" has been lost since the middle-ages.

if you have a look at names you will find a lot of these connections in today's names.

if you have any more questions feel free to ask!

love, sabine

[Mikazo]

oh wow, that's some cool information. i definitely didn't expect to hear anything like that. :)

danke schön, und uhh... möge die macht mit ihnen sein?

weiß nicht...


i may give some some insides here, as i am german native speaker.