14 tourist locations everyone pronounces wrong
Ah, we’ve all been there. Working hard to blend in as a local, until the moment we open our mouths.
The New York Post has published a list of locations people are commonly pronouncing wrong. It’s one thing to visit these cities, but pronouncing their name is another matter entirely.
Here are some of the highlights:
1. Reykjavik, Iceland
REY-kyah-vik not RAKE-ah-vik.
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Home to green dragons, the Slovenian capital is Lyoo-BLEE-AH-nah.
3. Reims, Cannes, Aix, Cahors, Rennes — France
Ranse; cann or kenn (throw in an extra “n”); ex; kah-or; ren.
4. Capri, Italy
Don’t say it like those silly, ankle-exposing pants. It’s pronounced CAH-pree.
5. Berlin, Germany
The German capital is pronounced bear-LIN or bear-LEEN.
6. Cappadocia, Turkey
Both acceptable: kap-ah-DOK-yah or kap-ah-doe-KEE-ah, but not kap-ah-doe-CHEE-ah
7. Nicaragua
Nic-ah-ra-GOO-ah not nih-kuh-rah-GWUH.
8. Detroit, Mich.
Motor City, baby, is pronounced dih-TROYT, not DEE-troyt.
9. Cartagena, Colombia
It’s simply kahr-tah-hey-NAH.
10. Antigua: an-tee-GAH, not an-tee-gwah
11. Anguilla: an-gwil-ah (like vanilla) not an-gwee-lah
12. Curaçao: cur-ah-sow (ç makes an “ess” sound)
13. Nevis: nee-vis
14. St. Lucia: saint loo-shuh not loo-see-ah