|
 Now, here's a little question for all of you World of Warcraft fans: how is "Lich" pronounced? Do some of you pronounce the title of the new expansion "Wrath of the Leech King", or is it "Wrath of the Litch King"? How about "Wrath of the Lick King?"
Somehow, one of the above examples sounded wrong.
But anyway, that was a dilemma encountered by a poster in the WoW forums, which spawned a healthy debate of linguistics that seemed out of place in a gamer-oriented forum. While it's a bit too much to go all scholarly about such a simple question, let us highlight some interesting and enlightening posts that may very well prompt you to wear glasses and contemplate on looking... well, scholarly and well-read.
Here are some of the interesting snippets:
According to a poster named Aequai:
The modern fantasy idea of a wizard who transfers his soul to a phylactery, thus becoming undead and immortal, and gaining great power in the process, is pronounced "Litch."
The Scottish/Celtic folk legend of a dead person rising from the grave (essentially a zombie), from which the former is derived, is pronounced, in Celtic languages, "Lick."
So that's a point each for the "Litch" and "Lick" pronunciations. Another poster, Devorick, applies a German spin on how to say the word:
Lich happens based on German... Hence the Litch pronunciation.
Lichen, which is spelled similarly is pronounced - Lie - ke*n
But since it's basis is not in German it follows a different rule in pronunciation.
And finally, here's what Aesaric had to say about the whole issue:
In Korea it's Lath of the Rich King.
WoW players really do have a broad understanding and grasp of the language, but of course, it all boils down to one thing: the blue post. According to Nethaera, the official way of saying it is "Litch".
Certainly an interesting (and mind-opening) take on World of Warcraft's latest expansion. Do check back for more updates!
|
|
