A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Why is 'kansas' pronounced differently in Arkansas and Kansas?

Best Answers

Though they share all but two letters in common, Kansas comes out as “KANzis” and Arkansas as “ARkansaw.” Why so different? Kansas was named for the Kansa, a Siouan tribe that lived in the region. The Kansa people were called, in plural, Kansas, and that became the name of the state. read more

"It is clear, then, that the name Kansas, is spelled in English, while the name Arkansas is of French orthography, and that the two names should not be pronounced alike," according to the Arkansas Historical Association. read more

The Kansa people were called, in plural, Kansas, and that became the name of the state. But before it did, English, French, and Spanish speakers, as well as speakers of various Native American languages, all came up with their own ways of pronouncing (and writing) the name of the tribe. read more

Encyclopedia Research

Image Answers

Further Research