NATIVE NAMES AND PRONOUNCIATION.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XL, Issue 5776, 1 March 1912, Page 4

NATIVE NAMES AND PRONOUNCIATION.

THERE is nothing s» faultily spoken in New Zealand as Maori place names. Occasionally a smile is raised by a newcomer pronouncing Petone as "Pet-one," Onehunga as "One-hung-er," and Roteiti "Ro-toy-ty," but many New Zealanders are just as incorrect in their pronunciation as is the brand-new tourist fresh from the broad decks of the Shaw-Savill liner. It is quite common to hear a person pronounce the word Waingawa as "Winegawer," whereas it should be pronounced Wy-nawa, and in the schools the children are taught the location of the "Ma-hy-a" (Mania) Peninsula instead of the much prettier and correct word Ma-hee-a, with a slight accent on the middle syllable. Rotomahnna is invariably pronounced Incorrectly. As in the case of Mahia, the aspirate is sounded, when the word becomes "Roto-rfiahana," each syllable being given equal emphasis. The next MaM word to worry the public will be the name 'of the Union Company's new steamer Maunganui, which is almost sure to be pronounced "Mawng-anui" instead of Mau-na-nui." U is the native syllable "nga" which is such a stumbling-block to the correct speaking of many Maori words. If people will remember that it is pronounced like a short "na," the euphony of the word will be at once revealed. The literal meaning of Maunganui is said to be big hill."