Can You Pronounce This? | Unpronounceable World Destinations
There are often language barriers between inhabitants of different countries, especially surrounding the names of local cities and towns. Some of these places would be nice to visit, but would any of the names even fit on a postcard? You would not want to get lost around here, because who knows if you could even ask for directions! Below are without a doubt leading contenders for the longest, most unpronounceable names in the world. How many of them can you pronounce?
Unpronounceable World Destinations | Village in Wales – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
A small village in northern Wales along the coast of the island Anglesey, its name actually means “The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio’s of the red cave.” The village community has around 3,000 Welsh speakers, making them one of the largest populations on the island. The name, apparently invented to promote tourism in the 1860s, is 58 characters long. It can be found on many signs throughout the town, the most photographed one being at the train station. Quite a clever way of inspiring visitors.
Unpronounceable World Destinations | Pub in Finland – Äteritsiputeritsipuolilautatsijänkä-baari
Äteritsiputeritsipuolilautatsijänkä is a bog region in Savukoski, Lapland Finland. The name, 35 characters long, is actually the longest place name in Finland. According to legend, a nea
rby pub owner was looking for a name for his pub, but all of the names he chose had already been taken. Finally, he picked one that he knew no other business would have. The pub soon became known by most locals simply as Äteritsi-baari. Despite the shortened name, it closed down in 2006. Many claimed it was because foreign visitors could not pronounce the name, a real challenge when asking for directions.
Farm in South Africa -Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskietfontein
Some say that this place name can only be pronounced correctly by speakers of Afrikaans, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. The name translates literally as “Two Buffaloes Shot Dead with One Shot Fountain” (The word fontein which means fountain or spring is often found at the end of South African place names) in other words “The spring where two buffaloes were cleanly killed with a single shot”. Actually a farm, located around 200km west of Pretoria, this 44-character name has become part of South African folklore. The area around the farmlands is said to have inspired artists and poets, and there is even a South African song by Anton Goosen with a title inspired by this name.
Lake in the United States – Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg
Named by the local Native Americans in the Algonquian language, Webster Lake or Lake Chargoggagoggmanchaugga
goggchaubunagungamaugg lies on the state border between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The name in English directly translates to “Fishing Place at the Boundaries – Neutral Meeting Grounds,” or more loosely “You fish on your side, I’ll fish on mine and no one fishes in the middle.” The town itself, including inhabited surrounding islands, is also officially registered by the same name!
Volcano in Iceland – Eyjafjallajökull
Despite being in the news for several weeks in 2010 when it disrupted European air travel, Eyjafjallajökull is most commonly referred to as the “Icelandic Volcano” due to the fact that non-Icelanders have difficulty pronouncing its true name. Icelandic for “island mountain glacier”, Eyjafjallajökull is considered to have one of the smaller ice caps in Iceland. The ice cap itself covers the caldera, or top portion of the volcano, formed as a result of a volcanic eruption, and has a summit elevation of 1,651 meters ( or 5,417 ft). This particular volcano has reportedly erupted several times over the years, including in 2010. So maybe an active volcano is something we should learn to pronounce!
Town in New Zealand – Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu
Near Porangahau in Hawke’s Bay, on North Island, New Zealand there is a hill known as “Taumata whakatangi hangakoauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu”. This literally translates into English as “The place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, played his flute to his loved one.” Locals simply call it Taumata Hill. The hill was named after a Maori warrior chief, Tamatea, who was forced to fight another tribe after they killed his brother during battle. He is said to have remained on top of the hill for several days playing his flute and lamenting. Some of us may remain there for several days just trying to pronounce this town’s name!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com