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How exactly do you pronounce "Asshai" from A Song of Ice and Fire? I always pronounced it "ash-shy" but one of my friends says that it's "ass-high". Can anyone tell me the correct pronunciation?

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    With great difficulty.
    – CHEESE
    May 8, 2017 at 15:41
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    I always thought it was "asshair". Lol.
    – Möoz
    May 8, 2017 at 23:03
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    @Mooz I see "asshat" myself. :P
    – TLP
    May 17, 2017 at 1:06
  • Might as well throw in “as-shy” and “ass-shy” as options too.
    – Paul
    Feb 1, 2018 at 13:22
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    I've always pronounced in uh-shy
    – geewhiz
    Feb 1, 2018 at 13:45

4 Answers 4

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In audiobooks, Asshai is pronounced as ASH-eye or a-SHY, depending on the narrator's accent.

In the HBO's show Game of Thrones, it is pronounced as uh-SHY.

For your reference, you may check these pronunciation guides:

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Consult with the following table:

Source IPA Pronunciation
HBO [ə'ʃaɪ] ə-shy
Roy Dotrice (Audio books narrator) [a'ʃaɪ] a-shy
John Lee (Audio book narrator for AFFC) ['aʃaɪ] ash-eye

You can refer to this answer to see how can you convert IPA to voice. The table was generated as per AWOIAF Pronunciation guide. I will add GRRM's version once I can find a video of him saying that word.

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However you like

George R. R. Martin has never been one for pronunciations and has said a few times that you can pronounce anything however you like.

Favorite character?

GRRM : Tyrion in Ice and Fire. Abner Marsh in Fevre Dream.

Glad to hear you pronounce the names

GRRM: In my youth I had a strong NJ accent, only reader in family, knew a lot of words that I had never heard spoken aloud. When I went away to college I found I was pronouncing a lot of these words wrong. I came to not care much about pronunciation. Pronounce the names of my characters however you like.

There are dangers in being a gardener, the story can run away from you - Shakespeare had to kill Mercutio because he was taking over play.

So Spake Martin, ODYSSEY CON 2008 (MADISON, WI; APRIL 4-6 2008)

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Characters in the TV show pronounce it ass-shy or ah-shy.

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    Can you provide any sources for your answer? It is recommended that you support your answer with as much evidence to show proof your answer is valid and not just an assumption you've made.
    – Edlothiad
    May 7, 2017 at 23:01
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    The TV show is my source...
    – HorusKol
    May 7, 2017 at 23:22
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    I've never heard them say Ass-shy. Can you provide a YouTube clip or something?
    – Edlothiad
    May 7, 2017 at 23:28

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