Language & Confusion

The post below has just led to a discussion between M and K about the silliness of the English language on the basis that “roofs” just sounds silly and we actually say “rooves” (like hooves). No wonder my students have such a hard time with English... add to that is the whole issue that Arabic words are translated phonetically. I wonder who decided that one Arabic word should be translated into English with a specific spelling. While it is Emirati, it could have easily been Emiratie or Emiraty. I personally like the correct spelling of Al’Ayn rather than Al Ain, because many people just end up saying “Alain” rather than making the distinction with to two A's; but then again I guess that could make it Al Aain or Al Aine. Which reminds me how quick those from Brisbane are to correct anyone from the US if they pronounce it with an emphasis on the “bris-Bane” part which to me is “Brisbain” but we actually say “Brisbin”. Which I also guess is like Moscow being "Moss-Co" or "Moss-Cow".

Maybe someone should produce the definitive guide to place names and their pronunciation based on local accents, so once and for all everyone can just get it right the first time!

PS... why is it pronunciation and not pronounciation? Friday morning thinking gives me a headache (and that is probably grammatically incorrect anyway)!