Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1878 — Afghan Names. [ARTICLE]

Afghan Names.

As for some months to come matters to the north of India may be of interest, it is time that some attention be given to the proper pronunciation of that country through which the English soldiers are forcing their way. The name of that mountainous country has been quite familiarly spoken by many a lady when she threw over her head some fleecy woolen knitted cover, which she called an afgan. The first syllable might be all right, but the g-a-n ought not to be pronounced as the a in can, but with a broad a, as in gaun. Afghanistan should bo written with a circumflex accent over the second and last syllables, is being lightly sounded, and the ultimate tan being somewhat dwelt upon. All these names of countries should have their syllables sounded at length with a broad a, such as Beloochistan arid Hindoostan. Of late an entirely new spelling has been given to names of the cities by the best English authorities. The effort is no longer made to Anglicize Hindoostanee names, but to adapt English letters to the exact native pronunciation: Punjaub is an error, Punjab being correct. Nepaul is no longer seen in the books. Nipal being substituted for it. We have some names of Hindoostanee in use in the United States, and we call Delhi, very perversely, Del-high, when it should be Del-he.