Here are 11 Louisiana town names that’ll likely make your GPS have an existential crisis because they’re so tricky to pronounce:
1. Natchitoches
Pronounced NACK-a-tish, not how it looks or sounds like “Natch-ee-toes.” It’s Louisiana’s oldest settlement, and locals guard the pronunciation closely.
2. Thibodaux
Pronounced tih-buh-DO. Often butchered by outsiders, this Cajun town’s name comes with a musical Cajun lilt.
3. Ouachita
Pronounced wash-ah-Taw, a parish and river name that confuses many who try to sound it out phonetically.
4. Tchoupitoulas
Pronounced CHOP-uh-TOO-lus. A famous street in New Orleans, this name comes from a Native American tribe and challenges even locals sometimes.
5. Bogue Chitto
Pronounced boh-ghee CHIT-toe, this town’s name is of Choctaw origin and a tongue twister for most.
6. Kisatchie
Pronounced kiss-ATCH-ee, this name is tied to the Kisatchie National Forest and is often mispronounced by visitors.
7. LaFourche
Pronounced luh-FOOSH, this parish name often gets mixed up with English phonetics.
8. Opelousas
Pronounced Oh-pel-uh-sus, a city known for Zydeco music and rich Cajun culture.
9. Ponchatoula
Pronounced pon-sha-TOO-lah, this town’s name continues to stump out-of-state visitors.
These names reflect Louisiana’s diverse cultural roots—French, Native American, and Cajun—and will likely confuse any GPS or outsider trying to navigate the state on the first try.
Sources
(http://www.jonmrichardson.com/2008/09/guide-to-louisiana-pronunciation.html)
(https://mykisscountry937.com/challenges-of-pronouncing-louisiana-town-names/)
(https://107jamz.com/20-of-the-hardest-names-in-louisiana-to-pronounce/)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wehBI_Lzy6A)
(https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/know-pronounce-hard-louisiana-words-141500056.html)
