Comment by ralfd
For people never hearing an American say that: It is pronounced "Ar-kan-saw". It is written so strangely because it was named by the French and their stupid silent s.
For people never hearing an American say that: It is pronounced "Ar-kan-saw". It is written so strangely because it was named by the French and their stupid silent s.
The website of the Arkansas Secretary of State says "Arkansaw" and includes this gem:
"During the early days of statehood, Arkansas’ two U.S. Senators were divided on the spelling and pronunciation. One was always introduced as the senator from “ARkanSAW” and the other as the senator from “Ar-KANSAS”. "
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/education/arkansas-history/how-...
Further down it says:
>In 1881, the state’s General Assembly passed resolution 1-4-105 declaring that the state’s name should be spelled “Arkansas” but pronounced “Arkansaw”.
The pronunciation preserves the memory of the Indians who were the original inhabitants of our state, while the spelling clearly dictates the nationality of French adventurers who first explored this area.
Explains everything…
Is it Ar-kan-saw, or Ar-kan-Sah?