If You Can Pronounce These Words, You’re Definitely From Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - You can always tell when somebody isn't from Louisiana by the way they talk.

There are a lot of ways to pronounce certain towns and locations in Louisiana, and they are not always said the way you'd think they would be.

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Certain words in Louisiana can be difficult to pronounce due to the state's unique linguistic history and cultural influences. Here are some key reasons:

French Influence: Louisiana has a strong French heritage, stemming from its history as a French colony. Many place names and terms are derived from French, which can be challenging for English speakers due to different pronunciation rules and accents. For example, "Tchoupitoulas" and "Atchafalaya" are rooted in French and Native American languages.

Creole and Cajun Languages: The Creole and Cajun communities in Louisiana have their own distinct languages and dialects, which incorporate elements from French, Spanish, African languages, and Native American languages. This blend creates words and pronunciations that are unique to the region and unfamiliar to those outside of it.

Native American Names: Many place names in Louisiana are derived from Native American languages, such as Choctaw and Houma. These languages have phonetic patterns and sounds that are not commonly found in English, making pronunciation difficult for non-native speakers.

Spanish Influence: Louisiana was also under Spanish control for a period, leading to the incorporation of Spanish words and place names. The Spanish language's pronunciation rules can further complicate the pronunciation of these names for English speakers.

Blended Pronunciations: Over time, the blending of different languages and cultures in Louisiana has led to unique pronunciations that may not align with standard English phonetics. Local accents and dialects also influence how words are spoken, adding another layer of complexity.

Evolving Language: The way words are pronounced can change over time, influenced by migrations, cultural shifts, and the mixing of communities. This evolution can result in pronunciations that differ significantly from their original forms.

As a result, we can spot a Yankee pretty quickly here in the Bayou State. And we also know that some people think we have a unique way of pronouncing things, which we do. And thanks to the folks at Only in Louisiana, we have a list of names that tell us whether you're from here, or not.

Tchoupitoulas (chop-uh-tool-us) - A very famous street in New Orleans.

Natchitoches (nack-uh-tish) - The oldest permanent settlement in the state, and site of the wildly popular Christmas Festival of Lights.

Tchefuncte (chuh-funk-tuh) - A river in south Louisiana.

Tangipahoa (tan-juh-pa-ho-ah) - A river and a parish.

Opelousas (op-el-oo-sus) - A city in St Landry Parish. Home of Jim Bowie.

Atchafalaya (ah-chaf-a-lie-ah) - The biggest river swamp in the nation, and part of the reason we are known as the 'Sportsman's Paradise'.

Grosse Tete (gross-tate) - A small community in Iberville Parish. The name is French for 'Big Head'.

Pontchartrain (ponch-ah-trane) - A lake near New Orleans. Also a very famous amusement park, 'Ponchartrain Beach', in the Big Easy from 1928-1983.

New Orleans (New Or-lenz) - It is not "New Orleenze"!

Ouachita (wash-it-aw) - A Parish in north Louisiana.

Burgundy (bur-GUN-dee) - A street in New Orleans.