For the pedants

[notb665]

The Germans don’t call their country ‘Germany’, ‘Allemagne’, or anything like it, they call it ‘Deutschland’. In this case, the words ‘Germany’ and ‘Allemagne’ are exonyms. The English say ‘Wales’, but the locals should say ‘Cymru’. ‘Wales’ is an exonym.

The country is officially called and not the exonym ‘Ivory Coast’. Just thought you’d like to know.

 

[WoodYouLike]

Even funnier: the Dutch don't call themselfs Dutch, or their country Holland

 

[notb665]

Even funnier: the Dutch don't call themselfs Dutch, or their country Holland

I think Holland is part of The Netherlands. There is an area called Holland in Lincolnshire and also in Lancashire. Dutch people call themselves Nederlanders. Am I right?

(Your 'themselfs' translates so well into the accent many Nederlanders have when talking English. I love it).

 

[Nige F]

so exonym= ****hole in the case of wales

 

[WoodYouLike]

[

(Your 'themselfs' translates so well into the accent many Nederlanders have when talking English. I love it).

Accent, accent? What accent?

 

[johnny_t]

The Germans don’t call their country ‘Germany’, ‘Allemagne’, or anything like it, they call it ‘Deutschland’. In this case, the words ‘Germany’ and ‘Allemagne’ are exonyms. The English say ‘Wales’, but the locals should say ‘Cymru’. ‘Wales’ is an exonym.

The country is officially called and not the exonym ‘Ivory Coast’. Just thought you’d like to know.

Here's a question then - Given that it is an exonym, I presume calling it 'Ivory Coast' is just as valid as calling Germany 'Germany'.

But, because I'm a faux-intellectual ponce, I do say 'Cote d'Ivoire'. However, I would never dream as referring to Germany as Deutschland (except for maybe in an ironic way) or calling France, France (but pronouncing it Fronce) and, I suspect, you are in the same boat. So, is the person who says 'Ivory Coast' in fact being more consistent and correct ?

 

[hermes]

, I do say 'Cote d'Ivoire'. ?

I've thought about this before. If you carry on down that road you'll soon be pronouncing the names of british towns according to local dialect.

 

[JohnD]

I believe the convention is that when a place has a common name in (e.g.) English, then it is "correct" to use that when speaking to other English people. Munich, Paris, Holland, Ivory Coast, Germany, El-Alamein, Moscow, Brittany, Bavaria.

When it doesn't have a common English name, you have no option but to use whatever the natives call it (Baden-Wurtenburg; Chappaquidick, Marseilles), and I believe you are duty bound to pronounce it, as best you can, their way, or you will sound as stupid as George Bush.

When you are in someone else's country, and talking to a native of that country, especially in their language, you must do your best to pronounce proper names they way they do.

 

[notb665]

The Germans don’t call their country ‘Germany’, ‘Allemagne’, or anything like it, they call it ‘Deutschland’. In this case, the words ‘Germany’ and ‘Allemagne’ are exonyms. The English say ‘Wales’, but the locals should say ‘Cymru’. ‘Wales’ is an exonym.

The country is officially called and not the exonym ‘Ivory Coast’. Just thought you’d like to know.

Here's a question then - Given that it is an exonym, I presume calling it 'Ivory Coast' is just as valid as calling Germany 'Germany'.

But, because I'm a faux-intellectual ponce, I do say 'Cote d'Ivoire'. However, I would never dream as referring to Germany as Deutschland (except for maybe in an ironic way) or calling France, France (but pronouncing it Fronce) and, I suspect, you are in the same boat. So, is the person who says 'Ivory Coast' in fact being more consistent and correct ?

No, 'cus the government formally requested to the UN they be called and nothing else!

 

[JohnD]

, I do say 'Cote d'Ivoire'. ?

I've thought about this before. If you carry on down that road you'll soon be pronouncing the names of british towns according to local dialect.

I am in Southern England, so I say "Glaaaaarze-go". If I'm in Glasgow and the natives mock me for it or are offended, I can say "Glas-go"

A lot of people down here would say "Lock Ness" because they don't have the right sound. Being multilingial I generally say "Loch Ness" even when I'm down here. In Inverness-shire the locals think "Lock" ridiculous.

 

[johnny_t]

, I do say 'Cote d'Ivoire'. ?

I've thought about this before. If you carry on down that road you'll soon be pronouncing the names of british towns according to local dialect.

I've kind of wondered something similar - For example, should you expect a southerner to make the effort to say Newcastle properly, or for a northerner to have a proper go at saying Bath ?

Also, now that we're a global village, will we all be saying 'Paree' one day instead of 'Paris' ?

 

[hermes]

Baden-Wurtenburg;.

That's easy for you to say!

 

[johnny_t]

Blimey - there's a lot of simultaneous posting on this thread......

 

[JohnD]

Baden-Wurtenburg;.

That's easy for you to say!

True

 

[JohnD]

Blimey - there's a lot of simultaneous posting on this thread......

No there isn't