I Have A Question Volume 83

Honest John Back Room » General discussion ( non motoring )
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Fri 5 Aug 2005 16:20
Pronunciation of Niger - Dwight Van Driver
Political correctness.

Too close to the name of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's dog.

Not on these days.

DVD
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Fri 5 Aug 2005 16:54
Pronunciation of Niger - No FM2R
Always called it nigh-jur myself. And I've been there quite a lot. Still, I guess its like the Peking/Bejing, Majorca/Mallorca, Jif/Cif, Ulay/Olay, stuff.

I don't think its to do with any dog, with or without jeep tyre tracks.
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Fri 5 Aug 2005 19:25
Pronunciation of Niger - frostbite
It's probably all down to the touchy-feely types in the meeja - the residents probably call it by the original name like those in Bombay are reputed to do.
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Sat 6 Aug 2005 10:26
Pronunciation of Niger - tyro
Niger was a French colony - and still has French as official language. Hence the locals always pronounce it the French way.

And of course, we now follow suit. Just like we used to say ren-alt, but now tend to say ren-o.

(idea for new thread comes to mind!)
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Sat 6 Aug 2005 17:53
Pronunciation of Niger - Pugugly {P}
A very Anglo Saxon habit, pronouncing other people's place names as if they were English. The world moves on with or without us.

(Paree for Paris anyone ? )
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Sat 6 Aug 2005 11:47
Pronunciation of Niger - Altea Ego
"Too close to the name of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's dog."

Ah yes but.....

The last time the dam busters was shown on British TV, (within the last 4 months from memory) W/Co Guy Gibsons black labrador retriever was refered to by its name.
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