PRONUNCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27795, 21 October 1955, Page 3

PRONUNCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

Sir,—l heartily disagree with your correspondent “N’Zilland” about the pronunciation of our country’s name. This pronunciation only originated with the late Mr Peter Fraser, who was not a New Zealander. The old way of pronouncing New Zealand, far from being an affectation, is both correct and pleasanter to the ear than the later, imported version, which merely makes its user sound uneducated. —Yours, etc., PILGRIM’S GRANDDAUGHTER. October 20, 1955.

Sir,—lt is a little difficult to gather from his letter whether “N’Zilland’ is poking a little quiet fun at his compatriots or is in deadly earnest. In either case his letter offers a. pretext for the formation of a Society for Prevention of Cruelty to the English Language—already one of the most poignant sufferers from ill-treatment that the modern world can show. Rustic dialect, must, of course, be respected in the sacred name of antiquity and your correspondents plea may be based on this policy, but as there are only five vowels m tne English language is it too much to as that people boasting the ordinary standards of modern education may at least try to use them correctly? It is to be hoped that Her Majesty m her tour last year did not grate upon sensitive nerves in her frequent warm tributes to —-New Zealand. —Youtsl etc., October 20, 1955.

Sir, —Your correspondent “N’Zilland’s” views on the pronunciation of New Zealand are certainly not those of the older generation of New Zealanders, nor, thank goodness, of many of the younger either! The ugly “N’Zilland” is of comparatively recent date, and there seems to be nothing to recommend it for native New Zealanders or for newcomers to this country. Let us hope that all newcomers will continue to. pronounce the name in its original and correct form. —Yours, etc., EDUCATED NEW ZEALANDER. October 20, 1955. Sir, —Regarding the pronounciation of the name of our country—“ New Zealand,” and “K.O.’s” letter in “The Press” today, I also was amazed to read of the suggestion of “N’Zilland.” Therefore, I shall watch your columns, with interest, for a definite ruling on the matter by some authority.—Yours, etc., A NEW ZEALANDER. October 20, 1955.

Sir, —May I say that I agree with the sentiments of “K. 0. in “The Press” this morning. I think “N’Zilland” may be good enough for people who have pulled themselves up by their bootlaces, but it should never be tolerated by the educated and self-respecting members of the community. If “N’Zilland” ever comes to the fore, we may as well all forget the lessons of our youth and drop our aitches as well as use every other slovenly and common word that we hear every day of the week from those who embrace the “N’Zilland” habit. It is on a par with the paper, and a pen that we even hear emphasised over the radio. Some people would like to drag the majority down to their level.—Yours, etc., NEVER. Rangiora, October 20, 1955. [Obviously, some correspondents have taken literally “N’Zilland’s” ironical letter. —Ed., “The Press.”]