How to Pronounce Tanzania?
Nov 22nd, 2011, 07:50 AM
#1
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How to Pronounce Tanzania?
I was at dinner last night telling a friend of my hopes to visit Tanzania. She has visited there and pronounced the country's name "Tan-ZAN-ee-a" as opposed to my "Tan-zu-KNEE-uh." Knowing of the great wisdom found on this board, I thought I'd ask here how you all believe the name should be pronounced. Thanks!
Nov 23rd, 2011, 08:55 AM
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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.
Nov 23rd, 2011, 09:10 AM
#5
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.
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.
Nov 23rd, 2011, 09:53 AM
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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!
Nov 23rd, 2011, 05:43 PM
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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.
Dec 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM
#11
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
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
Dec 7th, 2011, 05:58 PM
#16
yep Nawlinz in that southern drawl !
or Nah-york with the accent that only a seasoned local taxi driver can say
or Nah-york with the accent that only a seasoned local taxi driver can say
Dec 26th, 2011, 02:55 PM
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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?
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?
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