NEW WORD REQUIRED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 15

NEW WORD REQUIRED

Sir, —In answer to our old friend "Mercutio" asking for a new adjective to replace Auckland, I suggest "Aucklovian." Auckland is rather awkward and "Aucklian"" in this instance is stunted or clumsy. We have Ireland, Irish, Scotland, Scottish, England, Engish. Yes, it should be, but English was the word chosen. England was the real Anglo-Saxon word, so we might have had "Englaish." Poland is the land of the Pohlens, men of the plains, but we might have had Poish. Switzerland is from Schweiss, and we have Swiss, but we might have had Switzerlandic. 1 think "Aucklovian" and "New Zcalian" will be hard to beat, they are musical, easy to pronounce, and dignified. W.M.M.

Sir, —In reply to Mr. W. Jameson's letter of July 1, it is with regret that one reads of advocating a change in the name of our country. Mr. Jameson .appears to favour the contention that New Zealand has 110 relation with the

rovince of Zeeland, but I would ask

him to remember that our country was, after all, discovered and named by a Dutchman, and I think the name is an appropriate tribute to his memory. Furthermore, wo have come to regard tho name of our country as part of our undoubted heritage and we are proud of the respective names of New Zealand and New Zealanders. As regards the derivation of a fitting adjective from the name, the noun itself has served as our adjective quite admirably up to date, and I fail to see why it should not go on serving tho same purpose. John Murphy. Gisborne.

Sir, —"When I first raised the subject of a. needed adjective for matters and qualities pertaining to New Zealand, I had hoped that your readers would have found a happy and appropriate solution. Of the various suggestions o fie red, I certainly consider "New Zealandic," submitted by W. Jameson, is very near the mark. This proposed adjective corresponds with "Icelandic" (pertaining to Iceland), which is an accepted dictionary word. His suggested abbreviation "Zealandic" is not permissible as long as our country's name is distinctively called New Zealand. If attempts were made to change tho name, as ho suggests, to "Sealand," T am afraid there would be strong opposition from everyone who takes pride in the initials N.Z. incorporated in that illustrious name Anzae. H.J.E.