Why can't we say "Kuh-tar" - the pronunciation preferred by. . . the Qatari government by the way - or Bombay, but we're allowed to say Munich or Moscow instead of München or Moskva (Москва́)?
Yeah I know, those other names were "imposed" during colonialism, whereas Munich and Moscow are English names for other European cities (although that really doesn't explain Torino). I once had a teacher in elementary school who freaked out at us because we fourth graders dared to pronounce Puerto Rico "pour-toe reeko" not the more authentic "pwerto reeko."
We're embarrassed by the European legacy of colonialism so now we must always, always, always say non-European place-names as they are in their native language. This isn't to say that I oppose keeping place-names as close as possible to their traditional, native pronunciation, just that I'd like consistency. Either all go by their traditional, native pronunciation - München, Moskva, Warsaw ("Varshava"), Mumbai, or none do and they all get a modified English name.
By the way, I hear Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit is beautiful this time of year.
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was talking to a high school kid who took offense at my pronunciation of pakistan. i said i'll start saying pah-kee-stahn when you start saying me-xi (gutteral x)-co. which was really just me being unnecessarily snotty and veiling it as humor. but yes. i have no problem with the correct pronunciation of pakistan either, i just think it's ridiculous that we pick and choose so randomly which countries/cities to do it to.
you think it's imperialist-shame. interesting.
LONG LIVE COTE D'IVOIRE!!!!!
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