From 'Balmor' to 'Trono': How to pronounce city and state names like the locals
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
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.
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
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."
10. Illinois
Believe or not, some people pronounce the "s" in Illinois, and we wanted to set the record straight. It's "Ill-annoy."
Canada
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-uh" or even "Tron-uh" and Tron-o." "Trono" as a spelling is common, too.
13. Quebec, Canada
ShutterstockQuebec City, In English, a "u" almost always follows a "q," making the "qwa" or "qwe" sound. But if you want to say Quebec like the French-Canadians do, the first syllable should sound like "kuh" or "keh," as in "Kuh-bek."
Canadians cut out a syllable here. Most say "Cal-gree," instead of "Cal-gar-ee."
Global
Once again, you drop the "es" in the city's name, making it "Glaw-ster."
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
