Mispronounced Localities in NM (Santa Fe, Alamogordo: new house, island, place)

[Zoidberg]

Just one of the many things that gives NM its unique character is the place names. What are some more place names that in practice don't match their typical/proper pronunciation?

Here's what I have so far (feel free to interject if you disagree with any of these

*Thoreau (ther-oo)
*Madrid (mad'-rid)
*Ruidoso (ree-uh-doe-ser)
*Los Lunas (laws-loo-nuhs)

[egglady]

Dona Ana (donyana)

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

Just one of the many things that gives NM its unique character is the place names. What are some more place names that in practice don't match their typical/proper pronunciation?

Here's what I have so far (feel free to interject if you disagree with any of these

*Thoreau (ther-oo)
*Madrid (mad'-rid)
*Ruidoso (ree-uh-doe-ser)
*Los Lunas (laws-loo-nuhs)

I have always heard it pronounced Ria-DOH-suh.

Carrizozo Carry-ZOZO or just ZOZO, hard English z.

All of them are mispronounced, if you get right down to it. Some are just butchered less than others, LOL!!

Santa Fe, Santa Rosa, Alamogordo, Aztec.....they are close, but.....!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by egglady

Dona Ana (donyana)

Actually, that is the correct pronunciation!

The final a of Doña and the first following A of Ana are run together, rather than the pause you would expect in English.

[egglady]

. . . Ooh, I just thought of a couple more:

Isleta (iz letta) I always want to say I-letta, like island.

Also Tucumcari (too come carry)

[egglady]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Actually, that is the correct pronunciation!

The final a of Doña and the first following A of Ana are run together, rather than the pause you would expect in English.

Hi Cathy
Being a transplant, I try and get my pronunciations from the news people, but while Steve Stucker pronounces it correctly (donyana) I just heard someone this morning - weekend flunkie no doubt - pronounce it Donna Anna.

Interesting thread! Thanks Zoidberg

I also like the local nickname for Tularosa: Tuli

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by egglady

Hi Cathy
Being a transplant, I try and get my pronunciations from the news people, but while Steve Stucker pronounces it correctly (donyana) I just heard someone this morning - weekend flunkie no doubt - pronounce it Donna Anna.

Interesting thread! Thanks Zoidberg

I also like the local nickname for Tularosa: Tuli

Hey, Nan, how's the new house coming? I can't wait to see it when y'all are all finished!!

I have been so tempted to look for a small summer place up there, but....LOL!!!

[egglady]

It's wet
And we have a moat

But it's coming along. We did the fire retardant coating and then stained the outside this past month so it looks pretty.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by egglady

It's wet
And we have a moat

But it's coming along. We did the fire retardant coating and then stained the outside this past month so it looks pretty.

A moat? LOL!!!

Making progress!!

[clairz]

Zoidberg, thank you for starting this thread because now finally I have a place to ask this burning question:

How do you pronounce Tesuque and Pojoaque?

~clairz