To my esteemed British correspondents: Could you please
explain why the English name "Featherstone" is pronounced "Fanshaw"?
I think you mean "Featherstonehaugh".
If you were called that, how would you pronounce it?
I don't know the explanation in this case. With place names, the usual
reason for a disconnect between the spelling and the pronunciation is
that the spelling evolved among those who could read and write, the
pronunciation among those who couldn't.
Michael Kay
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