Correct pronunciation of "New Orleans" (Lafayette, Lake Charles: neighborhood, landlord)

[confusedasusual]

I feel stupid even asking this, but I know *you* guys will know.

I usually say "New ORlins" (phonetic), but have heard natives (typically older natives, like my landlord) refer to the city as "New OR-lee-ans". I have also heard non-natives refer to the city as "New Or-LEENS".

Which is the preferred pronounciation? This town has a lot of creative ways to pronounce words. Honestly, I think the extra syllable in the "New OR-lee-ans" sounds lovely. Does anyone care?

[rburnett]

'New Or-lins' or 'Or-luns' are generally the way to go. I'll give Kermitt Ruffins a pass with his 'Ah-luns'.

'New Or-Leens' is a no no, as is 'Nawlins'.

'New Or-lee-ans', isn't right either. Too many syllables. My MIL says it that way and it drives me up the freakin wall. You won't hear it spoken like this very often, so it sounds pretty odd and touristy when you hear it in person.

[kayanne]

I hope this isn't too off-topic, but I have a question about a town pronunciation as well. How do most people here pronounce Lafayette? I've just moved to Lake Charles, and I've heard a couple of people pronounce the first syllable like the word "laugh." But of course the french article "la" has the "ahh" vowel sound, so Lahh-fayette makes more sense in that regard. Having attended Purdue University, in West Lafayette Indiana, it would be hard for me to change how I pronounce it!!

[Jimbo_1]

Lafayette- I pronounce it Lahh-fee-yet.

New Orleans- I usually pronounce it "New Or-lins". It seems to me that "New Ah-luns" is kind of popular too, I even say it some times.

I also know a family who all say it "New Or-lee-ans" but not too many other people usaully say it that way.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The 3 syllable way is closest to the French pronunciation. Many older people use it. Or-luns is what I have heard most.

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[rcp11889]

Yeah, New Or-lee-ins is kind of an older generation thing. I don't think I've ever heard a young person say it like that. Unless you grew up in a certain neighborhood just stick to New Or-lins.

As for Lafayette, everyone there says Laugh-ee-ette, as do I.

[emochu]

When I first got here, I had to make a Marine Safety Broadcast. I pronounced it New OR-LEANS and once I was done with the Broadcast, a bunch of mariners came up on the radio making fun of the way I was pronouncing New Orleans. I mostly hear mariners pronounce it Nawlins.

[hdwell]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

I feel stupid even asking this, but I know *you* guys will know.

I usually say "New ORlins" (phonetic), but have heard natives (typically older natives, like my landlord) refer to the city as "New OR-lee-ans". I have also heard non-natives refer to the city as "New Or-LEENS".

Which is the preferred pronounciation? This town has a lot of creative ways to pronounce words. Honestly, I think the extra syllable in the "New OR-lee-ans" sounds lovely. Does anyone care?

I heard the "New Or lee ans" pronunciation first as a child back in the 50s and 60s. Then there were a lot of people still alive who had born in the 1800s and early 1900s. So I picked it up. Later I changed it to New Orluns albeit subconsciously. I never heard New Orleens until I left this part of the country. The first time I heard it was in the West and thought to myself "what a bunch of hicks" But that pronunciation stands elsewhere so I just ignore it. If I get called on saying New Orluns(lins) then so be it. In my book, its right for the regional local accents.

As of late I have been hearing more and more people call New Orleans NOLA as I think maybe that started with the mockery of Nawlins being so prevalent everywhere. But I do hear it and not from CD'ers. Maybe it goes back longer than I know about.

[moiraesfate]

It's pronounced different everywhere in the city.

I say it "New Orlyns". I've heard it pronounced "nawlins", "New Orleeeeens", "New Orleee aans", and more. I don't think it really matters much. I think it depends how the people around you say it, and what their family/language background is.

I have to admit, the "nawlins" thing bothers me a bit because I think it makes New Orleans seem like a bunch of hicks.

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by moiraesfate

I have to admit, the "nawlins" thing bothers me a bit because I think it makes New Orleans seem like a bunch of hicks.

I always hated "N'Awlins" because it reminded me of Frank Davis. Is he still around?