In Southern China; there's a city called Canton, where does the name come from??.?

Answer 1

The city is now known as Guangzhou, in the province of Guangdong. Guangdong is the Mandarin Chinese name, however. The local dialect (Cantonese, appropriately) has a different pronunciation, which is more like Gwungtung.

Its old name came from French explorers and traders who, back in the 19th century, attempted to pronounce the Cantonese name for the province, and couldn't quite do it: the closest they could get was Canton, and the name stuck itself to the city.

Hong Kong gets its name in a similar way; the proper name is Heung Gong, but the English settlers anglicised it to Hong Kong. Same for Kowloon (Gau Loong).

Answer 2

The city was formerly known internationally as Canton City or simply Canton, after a French language transliteration of the name of the province in Cantonese



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou

Answer 3

I live approximately 3 miles from Canton. It's in Cardiff. Look it up.

States in Switzerland are called Cantons. Maybe there is some connection there.

Answer 4

It was named after Canton Ohio in the 4th century A.D.


What?! I'm not kidding.

Answer 5

There is also, Canton, Ohio, where my mother grew up.

Answer 6

China is thousands of years old, your beloved America is only 200 yrs old so where do you think it came from.

Answer 7

@taketwo I wonder if this jackass is still going on the internet and stumbling over obvious jokes. Get at me, fool

Answer 8

meep. Chi Chong.

Answer 9

butterflies

Answer 10

From some dead Chinaman.