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Wanganui or Whanganui ?

52 replies · 1,228 views
over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Salmon07 wrote:
it should be Te Whanganui a tara phoenix tbf


Poneke Phoenix might be a bit catchier ...
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Bevan wrote:
Salmon07 wrote:
it should be Te Whanganui a tara phoenix tbf


Poneke Phoenix might be a bit catchier ...
 
Poneke is transliteration of port nich
 
so:
Port Nix?

Salmon swim upstream

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
stevenivan wrote:

If I understand this correctly in the local maori dialect "whanga" sounded like wanga.� So all those years ago the local whites were giving a phonetic spelling to the Maori name as they heard it pronounced around them.� Given that it was all a long time ago when the maori language in written form was in it's infancy it was hardly even a mistake, just a unique set of circumstances.So I suggest Wanganui is an accurate phonetic spelling in (NZ) English of the maori place name Whanganui.� That dosn't really help, does it?


Correct on pronunciation, but that's beside the point - you don't change spellings of words in a language to start accounting for different accents/pronunciations.

The point is that Wanganui means nothing - in Maori or English. Whanganui has a meaning in Maori, the town was named with that meaning in mind, and it's only right that the meaning is officially recognised through the name change.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
We would have to rewrite pretty much the whole english dictionary if we wanted to spell everything phonetically.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
stevenivan wrote:

If I understand this correctly in the local maori dialect "whanga" sounded like wanga.  So all those years ago the local whites were giving a phonetic spelling to the Maori name as they heard it pronounced around them.  Given that it was all a long time ago when the maori language in written form was in it's infancy it was hardly even a mistake, just a unique set of circumstances.So I suggest Wanganui is an accurate phonetic spelling in (NZ) English of the maori place name Whanganui.  That dosn't really help, does it?


Correct on pronunciation, but that's beside the point - you don't change spellings of words in a language to start accounting for different accents/pronunciations.

The point is that Wanganui means nothing - in Maori or English. Whanganui has a meaning in Maori, the town was named with that meaning in mind, and it's only right that the meaning is officially recognised through the name change.

I'm happy with all of that, it is respectful to make the change to the correct maori spelling which is a good enough reason for me and now that I know I don't have to try and pronounce the "wh" I'm sweet.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Colvinator wrote:
We would have to rewrite pretty much the whole english dictionary if we wanted to spell everything phonetically.

Naa . . . we'd just have to edit it, it already has a phonetic spelling for every word entry.

edited post - I was getting boring.
stevenivan2009-09-22 08:22:42
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Now Rotorua is jumping on the bandwagon. I've just heard they want to add a 'B' and change the name to 'Brotorua'
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
What's wrong with being bilingual.
Where I lived in Belgium both languages were taken equally.  In fact in some parts there were 3 languages.  Anvers/Antwerpen/Antwerp
I am comfortable with both.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Could the wellington phoenix become The Wellington Whoenix??
I agree with you Edward, let those whom choose one and those whom choose the other, be allowed to choose.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:


Correct on pronunciation, but that's beside the point - you don't change spellings of words in a language to start accounting for different accents/pronunciations.

The point is that Wanganui means nothing - in Maori or English. Whanganui has a meaning in Maori, the town was named with that meaning in mind, and it's only right that the meaning is officially recognised through the name change.


Exactly.

I think the those who live there should decide is rubbish. What place has been named by democratic process? Most places are named by one person, either after the person who settled it or some feature it represents.
Ya dont get everyone whos been living there for 50 years to vote, "now what do you want your town named?"

Laws is a failed politician touting democracy!
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
han308 wrote:
el grapadura wrote:


Correct on pronunciation, but that's beside the point - you don't change spellings of words in a language to start accounting for different accents/pronunciations.

The point is that Wanganui means nothing - in Maori or English. Whanganui has a meaning in Maori, the town was named with that meaning in mind, and it's only right that the meaning is officially recognised through the name change.


Exactly.

I think the those who live there should decide is rubbish. What place has been named by democratic process? Most places are named by one person, either after the person who settled it or some feature it represents.
Ya dont get everyone whos been living there for 50 years to vote, "now what do you want your town named?"

Laws is a failed politician touting democracy!
 
Wanganui means something to the people who live there.
Just because it does not mean something in Maori does not make it wrong.
Wanganui is right in English and Whanganui is right in Maori.
Who says you have the right to impose something against the wishes of the people. 
Inventing rights for yourself is one way to end goodwill.
Frankly, your rights end at your nose.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
edward l wrote:

Just because it does not mean something in Maori does not make it wrong.
[/QUOTE]

Yes, it does in fact. The town was named after the Maori word for big harbour - so the very name of the town has a meaning, but its spelling does not reflect it.

edward l wrote:

Wanganui is right in English and Whanganui is right in Maori.


How can Wanganui be right in English? It's not an English word. Also, Maori uses the same script as English, so there's no need for transliteration.
[QUOTE=edward l]
Who says you have the right to impose something against�the wishes of the people.�


This has nothing to do with the wishes of the people - the town was named in the 1840s, and it retains the same name. The only difference is that the historical spelling error is being corrected.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Smithy wrote:
I don't want to be rude, but who cares.
 
Small town, small issue, small minds.
 
In essence this is a question of spelling, not renaming.  People getting very upset over absolutely f*ck all.
 
I couldn't agree more mate
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