Here are 13 Louisiana places that almost no one says correctly on the first try:
Natchitoches — Pronounced “NACK-o-dish,” this oldest settlement in Louisiana trips up many newcomers.
Tchoupitoulas — Pronounced “CHOP-uh-too-luhs,” it’s a street name in New Orleans deriving from a Native American tribe.
Ouachita — Pronounced “Wash-ah-tah,” this parish name is often mispronounced phonetically by outsiders.
Grosse Tete — Pronounced “Gross TATE,” this unusual village name is French in origin.
Pascal’s Manale — Pronounced “PAS-cal Man-ah-leez,” a famous restaurant name that challenges many visitors.
Tangipahoa — Pronounced “Tang-uh-pah-hoa,” this parish name is a tongue twister for many.
Atchafalaya — Pronounced “At-cha-fuh-laya,” referring to the famous basin and swamp area.
Opelousas — Pronounced “Op-el-oo-sas,” another Louisiana city name surrounded by mispronunciations.
LaFourche — Pronounced “Luh-Foosh” or “Luh-foo-sha,” a parish in southern Louisiana with a tricky name.
Pontchartrain — Pronounced “Pon-cha-train,” a well-known Louisiana lake name often mispronounced.
Boutte — Pronounced “boo-tay,” a town name that surprises many first-timers.
Chalmette — Pronounced “SHAL-met,” known for the historic Battle of New Orleans site.
Tchefuncte — Pronounced “chuh-FUNK-tah,” a river that confuses with its unique spelling and sound.
These place names reflect the rich mixture of French, Native American, and Cajun linguistic influences in Louisiana — making them a fun but challenging pronunciation test for outsiders.
Sources
(http://www.jonmrichardson.com/2008/09/guide-to-louisiana-pronunciation.html)
(https://107jamz.com/20-of-the-hardest-names-in-louisiana-to-pronounce/)
(https://mykisscountry937.com/challenges-of-pronouncing-louisiana-town-names/)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Louisiana/comments/ywrguh/what_is_the_most_common_way_for_la_natives_to/)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wehBI_Lzy6A)
