I grew up near Kapuskasing (kap-us-KAY-sing). On the Mattagami River (ma-TOG-uh-mee). Not far from Opasatika (op-ah-SAT-ih-kah).
Thus, I’m used to peculiar place-names that are a problem to pronounce. Or so I thought. Then I went to South Carolina. To Beaufort. Which I pronounced ‘Bo-for’, as any proper Canadian would do. Nope. Bew-furt. Continue reading