I hope you won't take it amiss if I, a stranger and a layman, ask you a
question about Old Norse pronunciation. I came across your name while
searching the internet. I have not been able to find my answer (or a
complete answer) by consulting Internet web sites, so I thought perhaps
I should ask an expert.
I am trying to determine the correct pronunciation for the ON origin of
my name, "Roderic." I understand the Old Norse origin of "Roderic"
would be spelled approximately Hroerekr, or Hrothrekr, or Hrodhrekr, but
the correct pronunciation eludes me. Here are my uncertainties:
1) Is the "h" in the "hr" pronounced distinctly before the "r," or is
the sound more like an "r" with aspiration, but without a preceding "h"
sound?
2) Is the "o" hard as in "rope," or soft as in "rot""
3) Is the ON character "edth" pronounced like the "th" in "Thor," or
more like the "th" in "then," with a vibration in the vocal cords?
4) Which r's, if any, are trilled?
While this certainly is not of earth shattering importance, it is of
great personal interest to me. I appreciate your kindness and any time
you can take to offer guidance on these details. And I apologize if
this is an intrusion.