One of the bad things about the English language is that
each vowel has multiple sounds. In Japanese and in Spanish the vowel “a” is always pronounced like the “a” in “taco” and the “o” is always pronounced like the “o” in “go.”
Here in California it is funny to watch the local newscasters, who are not from around here, mispronounce the names of local places. Many of them cannot pronounce any Spanish words correctly. La Jolla, Otay Mesa, Cahuenga Blvd, Santa Ynez, San Ysidro, Jamacha Road, etc. they cannot get right.
They do the same thing in Florida, mispronounce Spanish place names.........
... it is funny to watch the local newscasters, who are not from around here, mispronounce the names of local places. Many of them cannot pronounce any Spanish words correctly.
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Same here in Texas! Several years ago, I recall a news reader on national TV referring to Waco as Whacko and I’ve seen others saying MeXia instead of Me-hey-a, et al.