How do you pronounce f melius christiansen?

Answer 1

The "F. Melius" part is easy. The discrepancy occurs with "Christiansen." At St. Olaf College you will commonly hear it pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable "ChrisJOHNson". This is incorrect. It is neither the way you pronounce it in English or Norwegian. Unfortunately this is a mispronunciation that is perpetuated by St. Olaf. I have collected several statements from students of Melius' son, Paul J. Christiansen. Every one of them says that Paul pronounced his name "Christiansen" plain and simple with the emphasis on the first syllable. I have also spoken to Ken Hodgson, conductor of the University of MN Morris Choir and a former student of both Olaf and Paul J. Christiansen, he also states that those men pronounced their name with the normal, English pronunciation.

One other point, at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN the football field is "Christiansen Field" not "ChrisJOHNson Field." It's named after Jake Christiansen, another son of F. Melius.