Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Places
  4. / Europe
  5. / Europe (General)

by pzjohn on August 4th, 2006

pzjohn

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why does English spelling agree with the native spelling of French and Spanish cities, but few Italian, German or Portuguese cities?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on February 12th, 2007

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    English spelling of French cities is often the same because of the French heritage of the noble class of England. I am not aware that Spanish cities all have the same spelling in English as in Spanish. Seville in Spanish is Sevilla, for eg, although Madrid and Barcelona are the same. Italian cities have long had their names anglicised. Some of our English spellings come from the Latin forms of the city's name eg Florence ("Firenze" in Italian) was Florentia in Latin.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Sandy14 on April 24th, 2008

    Sandy14

    I suggest that it is simple in English to take the French spelling pronounce all of the letters, some of which are silent in French (e.g. Paris = Par-ee). Itlatian often adds on letters at the end and German pronounciation requires a different spelling. But French can be taken and Anlicized as is because of the silent letters at the end.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Oor Galooly - on April 24th, 2008

    Oor Galooly -

    Well Lyon in English is Lyons. And Marseille in English is Marseilles, I believe. Funny but true.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Why does English spelling agree with the native spelling of French and Spanish cities, but few Italian, German or Portuguese cities?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Lyon english spelling
Native language spelling
Why do italian cities have italian spellings but french and spanish cities translate
Marseille italian spelling
Spelling of aggree

Answerbag

a Demand Media company