Appleyard
Registered User
You won't be able to pronounce it unless you spend some time with Swedes or really practice it. That "o" sound in Swedish is a vowel sound that we don't really have in English - it is like a subtle, flat and compressed version of the "oo" in foot. You almost have to say "Hogberg" as if it is "Hoogberg" (with the "oo" as in "foot") and pout as you say it while pursing your lips. The "berg" at the end is sort of like "berry" though I have heard Swedes pronounce it straightforwardly like we would, as just "berg."
In my defense, I haven't been there since 2003, and I have had precious little practice since then, so I could be a bit off. I do know how to say the most vile curse in Swedish, if anyone ever needs it
Tbf we have had Hägg for 3 years and I don't think I have heard his name said correctly once by North American commentators/pundits etc! I.E: Kind of like Egg said quickly with a soft H at the front.
I still find Swedish hard to fully get pronunciations straight off reading it... (being not able to speak it & only able to read & understand basic sentences) and I am helped out by growing up listening to Bob Hund, Hellacopters and listening to loads of Swedish hockey broadcasts... and growing up in the North of England where we have a few left over bits of Nordic language still used in everyday dialect! (my favourite being Piss Mower (pisse-maurr)... which is close to identical to Swedish slang for a specific ant still! Though it does seem only old people use it these days.)
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