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."

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?

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