How To Pronounce 19 Places Around The Globe Just Like The Locals Do
Regional dialects and foreign languages often make pronouncing the names of places near and far difficult.
But when you travel, you should do your best to mimic the locals. And we can help.
Take a look at the pronunciations of the 19 global states, cities, counties, and an island below that unwitting visitors commonly mispronounce.
United States
Don't say "Loo-ee-vill." The locals, like Business Insider Deputy Editor Sam Ro, will laugh and maybe shun you.
Go with either "Loo-a-vul" or "Loo-a-vill." While even born-and-bred Kentuckians vary in their pronunciations, the first seems more common.
It's officially pronounced "Wuss-ter." While some locals might say "Wuss-tah," that's probably because of their accent.
3. New Orleans
Some might suggest locals pronounce this Louisiana city "Nawlins," but they actually say "New-ahl-e-yuns" most of the time.
Whatever you do, don't pronounce the last syllable as a long "e" - as in "New Or-leenz." If you don't feel comfortable committing to the lingo, stick with "New Or-linz."
4. Arkansas
Arkansas and Kansas share all but two letters - yet we pronounce them differently.
Technically, in 1881, the Arkansas state legislature made the "saw" ending the official pronunciation, but the controversy remains. Some locals still say "Ar-kan-zus," as some Kansans do, too.
The pronunciation of this city varies, especially depending on people's zip codes. You might hear "Bald-more" or even "Bawl-mer."
6. Missouri
Missouri is another state name with split personalities; "Miz-ur-ee" and "Miz-ur-ah" both make appearances in the local dialect.
7. Hawaii
Since the Hawaiian language has 13 letters, the "w" can make either a "w" or "v" sound. And the state's name takes the latter, making the proper pronunciation "Ha-vai-ee."
If you pronounce this city like its spelling, you may end up spewing a vulgarity. Instead, say the first syllable like "cook" and the "a" long, as in "Cook-sock-ee."
Wikimedia Commons
10. Illinois
Believe or not, some people pronounce the "s" in Illinois, and we wanted to set the record straight. It's "Ill-annoy."
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Canada
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Whether because of their accents or just relaxed speech, true Canadians don't enunciate all the syllables in one of their largest cities, Toronto. Instead of "Tor-on-toe," you'll hear them say "Ta-ron-a" or even "Trona."
13. Quebec, Canada
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Canadians cut out a syllable here. Most say "Cal-gree," instead of "Cal-gar-ee."
Global
Wikimedia Commons
Once again, you drop the "es" in the city's name, making it "Glaw-ster."
Wikimedia Commons
Global
18. Bologna, Italy
Avoid pronouncing this Italian city like the lunch meat. The final "a" receives special treatment, making the name "Ba-lone-ya."
19. Phuket, Thailand
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