Talk:Lough

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[edit] Lough and loch

Lough is not simply another spelling of loch. The two words have very distinct uses. And trying to write about lough as if it might be also loch becomes a very convoluted exercise. The result is not likely to be an easy read. Laurel Bush 09:18, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC).

When I look at the two articles, I see that both words refer to basically the same thing, with the exception that one of them is mostly in Ireland, and another is mostly in Scotland. The top parts of the artciels match 98%.

And it will be no more convoluted than it is confusing now to have two articles about the thing whose usage is not even clearly separated by nation, as the title of the article List of Irish lochs and loughs. The only perceivable objection is of nationalistic nature: which name is to be taken for the common article? I would suggest Loch and lough. Mikkalai 20:20, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Or Lough and loch? I note List of Irish lochs and loughs is now a redirect to List of Irish loughs. And there do seem to be a few people who want to use Lough and Loch to advance language-related nationalisms. Laurel Bush 4 July 2005 09:26 (UTC).

Please bear in mind that lough is nothing more than an anglicised version of the original loch in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The only correct version of the word can be loch. Lough is of course widely used in anglicised placenames throughout Ireland and of course should be acknowledged in the article. However, exactly how many people in Ireland talk about loughs in English? I've only ever heard lake and lakes when referring to freshwater bodies. Sea loughs are referred to as loughs of course. I suggest Loch (Lough) with a brief explanation of the anglicised form. The form loch should take precedence, I think. As for the notion loch is only used in Scotland, that is utter nonsense. Every lake in Ireland is a loch. As for the pronunciation in English, some people say /lak/ and many others say /lax/. An Muimhneach Machnamhach 14:05, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Pronunciation of Lough

Is it possible to add a note stating that the normal pronunciation of Lough is with a hard "k", as in "lawk" rather than the softer "ch" prevalent in Scotland. Its not a particularly important piece of information, but it does help to distinguish lough from loch. It also prevents my well-intentioned American friends from trying to pronounce the "gh" silently, as in "Lau Nay". <shiver> Thanks! Gavin Gourley 12/22/05

[edit] Surname

As a surname Lough refers to a body of water? Laurel Bush 17:04, 10 February 2006 (UTC).