how does one pronounce chautauqua?

Answer 1

Chuh-TAW-kwuh (uh as the u in "but", aw as the o in "pot"). Sometimes in slow speech you will hear chaw-TAW-kwuh or chaw-TAW-kwaw. But the first and last vowels are usually reduced to uh in rapid speech.

EDIT: In American English, the "ch" is NOT pronounced as "sh". In American English, it is pronounced "ch". This is a word of the older generation (like mine) and so most kids don't know how to say it. It will leave the language soon because no one uses it anymore. It is ultimately Native American in origin, so it is "ch". If it were French, or through French, it would be pronounced "sh", but it's not, it's directly from a Native American language into English. Some placenames have adopted the "sh" pronounciation, but the word as a noun is always pronounced with "ch". It is from Seneca ja'dahgweh and has been transferred throughout the US in placenames and as a word meaning "a gathering to discuss things".

Answer 2

Well, I moved to upstate NY from Texas about a year ago, and there is a county with that name up here. I would normally say chuh-TAW-kwuh, but people tend to look at me funny when I try to pronounce a lot of place names up here...

Answer 3

sha TOK wa

Answer 4

benchod

Answer 5

sha-to-kwa