[Bull Winkus]

It's a simple question.

Is is illegal in Arkansas to mispronounce Ar-kan-saw?

I heard this a long time ago and just ran across it again. Raise your hand if you already knew it!

[strumpeace]

I think that's an urban legend.

Arkansas Code (Title 1, Chapter 4, Section 105) states the following:

1-4-105.Pronunciation of state name.

Whereas, confusion of practice has arisen in the pronunciation of the name of our state and it is deemed important that the true pronunciation should be determined for use in oral official proceedings.

And, whereas, the matter has been thoroughly investigated by the State Historical Society and the Eclectic Society of Little Rock, which have agreed upon the correct pronunciation as derived from history and the early usage of the American immigrants.

Be it therefore resolved by both houses of the General Assembly, that the only true pronunciation of the name of the state, in the opinion of this body, is that received by the French from the native Indians and committed to writing in the French word representing the sound. It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final “s” silent, the “a” in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of “a” in “man” and the sounding of the terminal “s” is an innovation to be discouraged.

Note the last word -- 'discouraged'. Not illegal, just discouraged.

[J Arp]

Mis-pronouncin' our be-love-ed state's name?


Tha's uh stabbin' were iz from, boy!

[Rainbow Island]

The only one I've heard not pronounce it correctly is the chick on my Garmin Nuvi GPS.

[Bull Winkus]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

I think that's an urban legend.

Arkansas Code (Title 1, Chapter 4, Section 105) states the following:



Note the last word -- 'discouraged'. Not illegal, just discouraged.

Well, there goes any usefulness in my poll.

But I'm glad you found the right answer anyway. So, it's OK if you mispronounce it, just don't do it in front of an old-timer? ... especially if he's a retired legislator?

It really chaps me when I hear someone pronounce it R-kansas! They ought to get a fine.... And, some time in the poky, if they do it again!

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

They ought to get a fine....

They oughtta get cut three ways....

1. Long

2. Deep

3. Frequently

[rackensack]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

Well, there goes any usefulness in my poll.

But I'm glad you found the right answer anyway. So, it's OK if you mispronounce it, just don't do it in front of an old-timer? ... especially if he's a retired legislator?

They're gonna be a really old old-timer, and a really retired retired legislator, if they were around for that one. Like, at least 160 years old.

[mattpresley]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

It's a simple question.

Is is illegal in Arkansas to mispronounce Ar-kan-saw?

I heard this a long time ago and just ran across it again. Raise your hand if you already knew it!

False False False

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by Bull Winkus

It really chaps me when I hear someone pronounce it R-kansas! They ought to get a fine.... And, some time in the poky, if they do it again!

I've never heard anyone say it that way when referring to the state. If they did, it was as a joke.
Only to the Arkansas River(sometimes), or the town in Kansas called Arkansas City.

People in Arkansas get irritated at that pronunciation, then they turn around and call themselves R-Kansans. Go figure.
It's Arkansawer's people! Just ask my grandma!

[Tom Lennox 70]

Lol this thread just happened to be on top. I've never heard Arkansas mispronounced here in Maryland at all, only time was in Spanish when we saw a movie where an English teacher in Central America said "Ar-Kansas". Even people who are new to America, like my Asian parents before they became American and spoke regular English, never buthcered it that bad.

People do continusouly debate how to pronounce Ne-vaa-da of Ne-vaah-da. Same with Colorado. Arkansas is a cool state though. Sam Walton saves my pocketbook every week