> More thoughts produced by Sam and his words, words, words.
>
> What is the proper pronunciation of location names? Is it the way the locals pronounce it or the "proper" way, whatever that means?
>
> Examples that I have heard include the name Ponce de Leon. In Atlanta, if you ask a local to name the explorer who searched for the Fountain of Youth, they will say, Ponce "Day Lay-own." But if you are getting directions to the street in downtown Atlanta, you will be told to turn onto Ponce "Dee Lee-awn."

Kyah! It's a Spanish name; pronounce it like it is.

(Using heavily Americanized spellings)

Pone'-say-day-lay-own'

Not chih-lee, chee-lee. Not Chih-Lee, Chee-lay.

> Up until last year, I had always heard and said the name "Carnegie" as, "Car-nuh-ghee." After visiting Pittsburgh, I now know it is also called "Car-negg-ee." Thus, Carnegie Mellon and Carnegie Hall have a new option for me to say.
>
> So, what is the right way to say a name? The way the locals profess or the way that the majority of a random sampling would say it? Or, possibly neither?

Origin is a big factor. When I first saw "Saoirse", I thought sah-oh-ear-say, like it was a Spanish word. But I know it's Gaelic(she told me as much), thus, seer-shah.

> Of course, spelling can always play a part in the pronunciation when the town of "Kiln" is pronounced "Kill" and "Worcester" is pronounced "Worster."
>
> Fer"from San Jose"rick

Nyper"Knows the way"old