These Americans are crazy (the pronouncing “Pakistan” edition)
Over in the United States of America, they are criticising Barack Obama…for pronouncing the word “Pakistan” correctly. (via Chapati Mystery)
On the National Review blogs, Mark Steyn writes “Senator Obama’s ostentatiously exotic pronunciation of Pakistan, one thing I like about Sarah Palin is the way she says “Eye-raq”.” Washington Monthly’s Steve Benen argues that “having completely run out of compelling policy arguments to make, some high-profile conservatives have decided to make this their latest campaign hobbyhorse.”
Indians are likely to shake their heads and smile. And then realise that it is not unusual for those with the correct pronunciation to be labelled as anything but the “common man”.
I was watching the debate with a group of Republicans. And they too were making fun of his pronunciations. I had to intervene – and tell them that is how it is pronounced. My American friends looked confused, of course.
For some reason I am reminded of Nero and his fiddle, or was it the Lyre?
Does this almost mean that the Democrats will win?
He gets Pakistan right, but keeps saying ‘Eye-raan’. What gives?