Native tongues
A local graphic designer of my acquaintance, a Humboldt native, offers yet a third pronunciation. He says that the Danish pronunciation of Buhne was BOON-uh, and that we, who are loath to pronounce alien-sounding words, added the “r” in order to more comfortably say the name. This makes sense, and I applaud the quixotic elocutionist. He’s out to repair the damage done to the good Captain’s name over the last century and a half, but I can’t bring myself to go with this pronunciation. My instincts tell me, “When in Crescent City, say del-NORT.”
I don’t eventhink about the pronunciation of Loleta anymore, but it does strike newcomers that spelling and pronunciation parted ways a long time ago. I’m still not sure how to pronounce Bracut (as in Bracut Industrial Center), so I just avoid it by saying The Mill Yard. You may get a gentle correction from folks up on the upper Klamath when you mangle Weitchpec, or pronounce Orleans with the emphasis on the first syllable. The only stern correction I’ve ever received in Humboldt County was from someone in the office at St. Bernard’s High School. Evidently, they bristle when you pronounce it as you would the Great Saint Bernard Tunnel or the breed of rescue dogs. Hey, if they wanted people to say BERN-erd, they should have spelled it that way.
When in Del Norte, don’t mispronounce Gasquet. The natives don’t like it when outsiders utter variations of GAS-key. The rural hamlet is just east of Crescent City on the 199. Ooops! Did I just use an article before a numbered highway? That’s a dead giveaway that I’m originally from the greater Los Angeles/Orange County/San Diego megalopolis. Oh well, at least I didn’t schlep a carpetbag along with me.
→ post a comment
on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent the town dandy
Jan. 13, 2011
The Golden Boy
Dec. 23, 2010
Wish Lists
Dec. 16, 2010
The Train Geeks Return
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
More →
0 Comments