Why do people say Porto Rican?

Question

It is pronounced Puerto Rican. Is it a spanglish thing? Port o Rico? Is it that they are trying to say port of rico? Puerto (Port) Rico(Rich). Let's come correct latinos and pronounce it correctly.

Yes I am Puerto Rican and proud that is why I would like it pronounced correctly so that our younger generation won't fall into this careless mistake. I have heard other Puerto Ricans say it incorrectly as well.

Answer 1

My brother lived in Puerto Rico for 2 years and he would correct my pronunciation whenever I said it wrong, and he'd tell me it should sound like Poo Air Toe (and to roll the "r")

I think I was mistakingly saying "Porto" Rico like you're saying some people do.

It's just hard maybe for english people to pronounce it when they aren't acquainted with the language.

Answer 2

It's just a faster pronunciation--an accent thing, really. "Pues" is often pronounced "pos" for the same reason. We don't necessarily pronounce everything "correctly" in English either--at least, I'm sure that a Briton would tell me (a girl with a non-regional specific US accent) that I don't pronounce things correctly. For example, in Texas (where I grew up), a lot of place names are of Spanish and Mexican origin, but most Texans don't pronounce them correctly (if you've ever heard someone tell you they're from Amarillo, for example, then you know what I mean).

What about you? Do you pronounce everything correctly? I'm sorry it bothers you, but it's not that they don't know it or anything like that, it's just an accent thing. A Spaniard would probably tell you that Puerto Ricans don't pronounce anything with a soft c or a z correctly.

Answer 3

As a group, Americans have never paid much attention to original correct pronunciation of other languages. Puerto means harbor, Americans will say Porto for port.

Answer 4

May I remind Blucontrell and others who may not be in the know that Puerto Rico is part of the Commonwealth of the United States, not an independent country (yet!)

Answer 5

They can't pronounce the "ue" in spanish.

Let's remember all that Puerto Rico is a spanish speaking nation and it's name is spanish

Answer 6

Most americans are taught it is porto rico, and the English language is a lazy language in general - asking them to pronounce the vowels correctly is like work.

Answer 7

I take Spanish as a second language and consider it easier to pronounce than English. Another example of a mispronounced Spanish word is Tijuana, which is often pronounced tE-u-hooahh-nahh instead of tE-hooahh-nahh). Making an American pronounciation makes it easier for many English speakers, but it is not authentic, and English pronounciation is inconsistent.

Answer 8

I hope you are Puerto Rican,trying to tell us how to say our country correctly,If you ain't don't worry how we pronounce it.And it is the pronunciation,you're pronouncing it like it's spelled.

Answer 9

People who are non Spanish speaking say Porto Rico because it is easier on the tongue. It is difficult to roll those r's.

Answer 10

IT'S THE PRONUNCIATION, NOT the spelling, viva puerto rico, PUNETA!!!!!!!