Discussioni utenti:Michiluzzu Scalisi/English

As an American who is currently reading a number of Italian and Sicilian writers (in English translation), I find myself stumbling over the pronunciation of words--most often names--with a common pattern. When a Sicilian (and perhaps this applies to Italian as well?) word or name has three syllables, and the accent is on the last syllable, how are the other two syllables spoken? Is there a minor stress on the first syllable? The second?

Example: Nicolò

Is there a minor stress on either of the first syllables?

I think the problem is that English so commonly stresses first syllables. To pronounce a name like this with the accent on any other than the first syllable is very awkward. I would imagine that a Sicilian would find English pronunciation a little awkward to learn, as well.