PLACE NAMES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 11

PLACE NAMES

Sir,—ln “The Dominion” of February 26 appears a paragraph which suggests that a little knowledge has proved to be a dangerous thing. The pronunciation of our native place names is, no doubt, regrettably inaccurate, but to correct one blunder by committing another is not likely to raise the standard. When the correction is stated to be from one in authority the position is made worse. The pronunciation of “Titahi” as “Te-tar-hee” introduces a consonant sound at the end of a syllable, rind we, who are conscious of the smallness of our knowledge in these matters, did comfort ourselves with the thought that at least we knew that “all syllables in Maori end with a vowel sound.” “Tahi” occurs at the end of a number of Maori words. I have heard it pronounced by Maoris in Putahi, Taratahi. They gave the pronunciation and accent as Pu-ta-he, Ta-ra-tahe. In each case the final syllable was not stressed. Indeed it was more breathed than said. But they may have been wrong. Before our lamentable inaccuracies and inelegancies become fixed would it not be possible to institute an educative cam- - paign, under the guidance of an author- , ity in these matters —not of necessity from the seat of Justice?—l am. etc., “COUNTRY COUSIN.” Masterton, February 26.