Although it is true that to go on vacation to a place it is not essential to speak the local language perfectly, knowing how to enunciate the name of the town to which we are going is a basic requirement when moving around, asking for information and carrying out activities on the land.
We suggest you go through the ten most searched places on Google with the question “How do you pronounce X?”, according to the survey carried out by the language learning application Preply.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Located very close to the Arctic Circle, it is the capital and most populous city of Iceland. Its low temperatures all year round, the characteristic landscape with its colored houses and references to Viking history attract numerous travelers every year. Both in the preliminary planning phase and on arrival, Spaniards search online for this town under the name “Reikiavik”, that is, the version adapted to the Castilian spelling.
Greenwich, England
This district of the city of London is known worldwide for giving its name to the 0 meridian, which allows us to measure the longitudes of our planet. If this district of the English capital and home to the National Maritime Museum is so difficult for Spanish tourists to pronounce, it is because in Spanish there are no words with two close consonants, as in this case with the combination of the letters N and W.
Liechtenstein
It is a microstate located between Switzerland and Austria, which with its panorama nestled in the Alps attracts many lovers of vacations immersed in nature and tranquility every year. However, its tiny size is not the only peculiarity of this nation, because its name of Germanic origin turns out to be one of the most complex to pronounce in the world.
Auckland, New Zealand
Traveling to the other side of the world we reach New Zealand and in particular Auckland, its largest metropolitan area. This city of the South Pacific Ocean attracts the attention of many visitors thanks to a landscape that is distinguished by being a mixture of beaches, mountains, parks and tropical jungle, all always very close to the city center.
What most complicates the pronunciation of this metropolis is the fact that its name is not said in the same way that we read it. This is due to English phonetics for which the union of the letters ‘au’ is pronounced as an ‘o’.
Uzbekistan
This Central Asian country, along with its neighbors Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgysztan, is part of a group of nations whose names are almost incomprehensible to many people. The biggest problem lies in the union of many consonants together with the presence of strong sounds such as k.
Despite the diction that it can become an arduous task, many Spaniards seek this tourist destination every year.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This city, the capital of Malaysia, is a jungle of skyscrapers and green areas, but it is also the cradle of numerous cultures due to the mixture of different ethnic groups. Apparently its name is simple, but once again it is a trap. The sound is similar to how it is read, but it is not Koala but Kuala.
Iowa, USA
Located in the Midwest region of the country, this state bordered by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers is not usually the most frequent destination when it comes to planning a trip to the United States. However, Iowa represents the heart of American culture and is the perfect destination to immerse yourself in the traditions of this great country. The name presents two obstacles for a correct pronunciation: the w in the middle and the i at the beginning that in English is said ‘ai’.
Seychelles Island
White sand beaches, crystal clear waters, tropical temperatures and paradisiacal landscapes that are lost in the grandeur of the ocean. The islands of the Seychelles are a dream place, a bubble where you can disconnect and feel out of this world during your vacations. However, the name of this archipelago may not be so delicious for many of the tourists who are forced to pronounce it at least once on the trip.
Botswana, Africa
With its desert landscape and numerous game reserves, this southern African country is perfect for the unique experience of safari and connecting with some of the oldest populations. Like the Iowa example, Botswana also contains the letter w in the middle of the name and this is why pronouncing it correctly may take a bit more patience and practice.
Perpignan, France
Perpignan is a small city located in the south of France, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea that also influences its climate. With its squares surrounded by palm trees and its Gothic castles, this town is one of the most popular French destinations for many tourists, especially in Catalonia and Aragon. However, to correctly pronounce their name these travelers will need a little more attention and effort with the French accent.
