Pronouncing “Los Angeles”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 139, 7 March 1936, Page 11

Pronouncing “Los Angeles”

Sir, —Professor Arnold Wall is in error in his column on February 29, when lie savs Los Angeles is pronounced with a soft “g-” It would he if it were Italian, of course, but the word is Spanish. To make sure of correctness, the “Log Angeles Times,” the leading paper, has always given the pronunciation, “Loc.e-aling-hail-ais,” at the head of its editorial column. I enclose such from a January number of the “Times.” —I am, etc., CALIFORNIAN. Wellington, March 1. [Replying to “Californian,” Professor Wall writes:—“l am glad io accept the correction, by your correspondent, of ray verdict on the pronunciation of Los Angeles. My account comes'from a standard English pronouncing dictionary and gives the pronunciation current in England, while your correspondent supplies that of the city’s own inhabitants. Evidently. as’the “Los. Angeles Times", finds it necessary to give the pronunciation m every issue, it i.-j a difficulty even on the spot. I suppose that the “English” pronunciation will maintain itself in England in spite of the facts, and there is some justification for it as U.S.A, is a foreign country, and the English often have their own version of the names of tormgn cities—Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen.. Venice, Florence, etc.—just as the foreigners have of some of ours.—l am, etc.. Arnold Wall.]