Westernesse - pronunciation?

[Lady Ashley]

How is Westernesse pronounced? I keep wanting to say it "West-er-nee-say" but that doesn't seem right.

[Orkybash]

I remember reading one of Tolkien's poems where the rhyme scheme suggested "West-ern-ess". Can't remember which, though.

Edit - it was the last stanza of Earendil the Mariner.


for ever still a herald on
an errand that should never rest
to bear his shining lamp afar,
the Flammifer of Westernesse.

Also, keep in mind that Tolkien didn't mark the final e with a diasthese (sp?), which he usually did when he wanted it to be pronounced. So I really think it ought to be silent.

[Catz]

the word Westernesse isnt one of Tolkiens........its actually a name used in older Celtic legends and it is pronounced with the silent E
:catz:

[Wilwarin]

Good, I've been pronouncing it right all along! (Don't you hate it when you get used to pronouncing something one way, then you find out it was wrong!)

[Orkybash]

yeah... like the way the first time I read it I got used to "selaborn" and "sirith ungol?" =P

[Lady Ashley]

Thanks, guys! West-er-ness. Cool.

[Elfdaughter]

Yeah, Guinevere, in some of the Arthurian legends, was said to have come from Westernesse - pronounced West-er-ness