Most people struggle to say certain Louisiana place names correctly on their first try because of the state’s French, Native American, and Creole influences, which make for some especially tricky pronunciations. Here are 11 Louisiana places almost no one outside the state gets right on the first attempt:
Louisiana’s Most Mispronounced Places
Tchoupitoulas (CHOP-uh-too-lus)
Why They’re So Difficult
Louisiana’s place names mix French, Native American, Spanish, and various African languages, resulting in spellings that don’t match their local pronunciations. Even common locations and foods like Andouille (AHN-do-wee) often trip up newcomers. Locals themselves sometimes disagree on “correct” versions, reflecting the state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
More Challenging Examples
If interested in more, Louisiana also has tough-to-pronounce places like Thibodaux (TIB-uh-doe), Broussard (BROO-sard), and Bossier (BOH-zher). But the 11 above are widely acknowledged as nearly impossible for outsiders to get right on the first try.
SOURCES
(https://107jamz.com/20-of-the-hardest-names-in-louisiana-to-pronounce/)(https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/louisiana/pronounce-these-words-la)
(https://929thelake.com/20-of-the-hardest-names-in-louisiana-to-pronounce/)
(https://gator995.com/louisiana-town-named-most-difficult-to-pronounce-in-america/)(https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/know-pronounce-hard-louisiana-words-141500056.html)
