January 05, 2008
And another thing ...
What's up with the Democrats suddenly sounding like the Pakistani grocer on Seinfeld?
Every last one of these phonies is pronouncing the name of a certain hot-spot nation as "PAHK-EEE-stahn."
In my more than 40 years on this planet, I've never heard an American use the pronunciation of native Punjabi-speakers; the common useage amongst U.S. natives is "PACK-is-stan."
It reminds me of that Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Latino actor Jimmy Smits attending his first meeting at a new job.
In an effort to make him feel at home, his Anglo colleagues go our of their way to use the most exaggerated, "Mexican" pronunciations of common words.
"So, I like your new CAH-ma-rrrrrrrro."
Man, I had the best BOO-RRRRRRRRRRRR-ito for lunch!"
"Look! It's a TORRRR-NAH-DOH!"
It's just so silly.
Posted by Mike Lief at January 5, 2008 09:28 PM
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Comments
What is the harm in pronouncing a man's name correctly that you are trying to engage? Isn't this wise if you are trying to influence him? If you are a politician on the world stage, what is the harm in pronouncing the name of a nation in the way that those who live in that country deem respectful? Isn't this wise if you are trying to influence them?
Posted by: Beans at January 5, 2008 11:42 PM
So, do we call it Deutschland instead of Germany?
Eire instead of Ireland?
Italia instead of Italy?
Nihon instead of Japan?
I don't think it's wise; it's superficial pandering, an affectation that screams, "look at me! Notice my multi-culti street cred, my sensitivity, my erudition!"
Meh.
Posted by: Mike Lief at January 6, 2008 12:14 AM
Or listen to NPR pronounce that country in Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica - or their correspondent, Mandal-IT Delbarrrrrrrrrco.
Posted by: andrewdb at January 6, 2008 09:24 AM