How to Pronounce Tanzania?

I've actually heard it pronounced both ways in Tanzania. I think the "KNEE" version is the most common.

From what I've heard over the years, North American's use 'Tan-ZAH-nee-uh' where the rest of the world uses 'Tan-ZANE-ee-uh'

Most of the Tanzanians I've encountered (black or white), use "Tan-ZAH-nee-uh". I've only heard the other pronunciation a couple of times. Online pronunciation guides also use this version. The origin of the name "Tanzania" is from TANganyika and ZANzibar. Since Zanzibar is pronounced with a "ZAN" not "ZANE", it makes sense to pronounce it with the "ZAH" sound.

I agree with ShayTay--if what she's saying is that most Tanzanians she (and I) have met accent the second syllable: Tahn-ZAH-nee-uh.

It's hard to convey pronunciation over the internet. I think Sandi, ShayTay and I might be thinking the same thing and communicating it differently.

p.s You should definitely go to Tanzania! Make it work. It will be worth the effort.

Thanks everyone. I do hope to be able to visit Tanzania in 2012 or 2013 and have been enjoying researching. We have a few issues up in the air regarding my husband's job which will impact when we can make such a trip but we hope to have these resolved soon. I agree, Leely2, that we need to make it work!

I was quite surprised the first year I went, Daniel (our guide) pronounced it. Tan-zan-yuh. I asked him the next year if Tan-zan-ee-a (the way I always pronounced it ) was correct. He said that was a more common way of pronouncing it these days than what he had grown up with, and that both were correct.

Either way it will be understood.

I've always heard it pronounce (in country) tan-ZAN-ya. I think Americans most usually say tan-zah-KNEE-ya.

I asked a good friend of mine who is from Tanzania and his parents own a business there.

He says it is Tan ZAN ia , but if you want to "slang" it a bit then it would be Tan ZAH nia.

Is it New York or Nah York.

Is it New Orleans or Nah-leans

Percy, I always thought it was norleens!!???

Nope: Nawlinz.

Locals said it "tanzahKNEEah"

I like Nawlinz.
Just mumble the Tanzania bit and act like a foreigner … works for me!

yep Nawlinz in that southern drawl !

or Nah-york with the accent that only a seasoned local taxi driver can say

Heard while in Tanzania and Kenya:
Tan-za-nee-uh
Tan-zan-e-uh
Tan-zane-e-uh
Tan-zan-e-kah

I think that as long as you say it with a smile you're fine with any of them.

Ken-ya or Kee-nya?

I learned to NEVER pronounce is KEEnya as that was the colonial proounciation, and Ken-ya correct--like Jomo's adopted name Kenyatta.

But recently, friend from Africa pronounced it Kee-nya.

Or should this be a whole other thread?

Does it matter?