The Germanic to French pronunciation conundrum pops up often in the world of wine, particularly in Champagne and Alsace, where most of the leading producers were formerly German or (rarely) Swiss.
While consumers eager to display a misplaced Francophilia will often say Bow-lawn-(j)ay for Bollinger, the family itself pronounces it in the strictly Germanic original, Bow-ling-ger. Same for Mumm, Roederer, Deutz, Krug, Zind-Humbrecht, Schlumberger, etc.
When I first heard of Alex Singer, I had no doubt his roots in France were mighty short and thought he must be Jewish. The Hungarian origin makes perfect sense too -- remember that Hungary was Austro-Hungary, where the lingua franca (no double-entendre intended) was German a generation or two ago.
Interesting that two of the premier frame makers of France and Britain were Jews, Singer and Hetchin, testament to the fact that the two western democracies presented excellent opportunities to newcomers.
Any Jewish USA KOF frame builders out there?
Emanuel Lowi Montreal, Quebec
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