A Game of Thrones - pronunciation of names

[Duer 157099]

I've noticed a discrepancy between how in the audiobooks (read by Roy Dotrice) some names are pronounced differently than in the HBO series, and I'm wondering which is more likely to be accurate.

I would assume that audiobook narrators get to consult with authors when possible about how names should be pronounced, especially in a book such as this/these. And I presume the same about the HBO series.

The two cases that I've noticed were Gendry and Petyr (Baelish).

So which one do you suppose is the way GRRM intended, the audiobook or the HBO series?

[NewJeffCT]

1. I like Roy Dotrice's readings

but, I think Martin is more closely involved with the HBO series, even writing one of the episodes. So, I think those pronunciations are probably more accurate as they have more access to GRRM himself.

I wonder how they'll pronounce Jaqen H'Gar?

But, my reading isn't always accurate (I used to think "Fremen" from Dune were pronounced like "free men", but the movie made it into "Frem enn")

(As an FYI, when listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks to refresh my memory, Voldemort was pronounced with a silent "T" at the end in the first couple of audiobooks... starting in audiobook 3 or 4, the same reader (Jim Dale) changed it to a hard T at the end - possibly to match the movie pronunciation)

[Duer 157099]

2. I also like Dotrice, although sometimes his strong accents bother me

I find that when he gets into some of the accents, especially the really deep cockneyish ones, that I have to struggle to understand what he is saying. Often I'll have to have the book in front of me while listening just to see what it is he is saying, lol.

But, at this point, I wouldn't have it any other way. I wonder what I'll think of book 4 when I get there.

[NewJeffCT]

3. well, the accents are helping me out

I read book 1 when it came out in paperback and books 2 & 3 when they first came out in hardcover... I'm going through the audiobooks now so I can refresh my memory. I'm not sure if I'll read books 4 & 5 or if I'll just keep listening.

But, I'm sure I'll have to go through them again by the time book 6 comes out circa 2017.

[madinmaryland]

4. Apparently this is not a toilet thread, and since I have I no idea what you are talking about...

[Dappleganger]

5. Personally I would trust the HBO series more so than the audiobooks.