Louis Weichmann

[Wild Bill]

For what it is worth, my last name, Richter (judge), has always been pronounced with the "ch" as an English "k" sound--except when a stranger who is selling something tries it out and it comes out so many different ways I cannot begin to tell you. That is how we know when we have received an unwanted or incorrect phone call. We are always mystified when Californians mispronounce it as they use the Richter scale to measure earthquakes.

If you think the German "ch" sound is difficult, try the Dutch "g" which is similar. Gouda cheese becomes closer to Houda. In my experience, you can actually clear your throat in an exaggerated manner and correctly pronounce "graag" as the Dutch can put the German "ch" sound at the beginning and end of words. Dutch makes German look and sound easy to me. Likewise, although it is an oversimplification, Van Gough is closer to Van Cook to me.