This week I have definitely been thinking about summer
holidays! Not sure why, perhaps it’s
just the weather, I mean snow in March – what’s that all about? Whatever the
reason, a relaxing summer holiday has certainly been on my mind. Then I thought as we have been enjoying
looking at long words over the last couple of weeks I wonder where we could end
up if we chose a holiday destination purely by the length of a place name.
Okay, so a little bit of research later, and I discovered
that it could be on a hill in North Island, New Zealand. According to the Guinness World Records, this
hill has the longest official place name in the world - Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu - coming in at 85 letters. The English
translation of this Maori name is: “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the
big knees, the climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about,
played his nose flute to his loved one".
Would you believe that there are actually longer versions of this name including
a version containing 105 letters but I’m happy sticking with this one! I think
I could be tempted to take a look, just in honour of Tamatea. If you want to know how to pronounce this amazing name, follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px36UwW6y_g
Then again, for
those of us wishing to stay a little closer to home, a visit to Wales could be
the answer. The village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
has officially the longest one- word name in Wales and also across the whole of
Europe. The Welsh name translates as “Saint
Mary's Church in a hollow of white hazel near the swirling whirlpool of the
church of Saint Tysilio with a red cave". This village, on the Island of Anglesey, is popular
with tourists who like to have a photograph taken next to the railway notice
board bearing the name of the village.
However, with beautiful countryside and lovely views this could be the
ideal break for nature lovers.
If the USA is
more your idea of a holiday then maybe a trip to Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg,
also known as Lake Chaubunagungamaug or Websters Lake may be the ideal choice for
you. This magnificent lake, in Massachusetts, has a
17 mile shoreline and is the perfect place to relax in the sun, or to enjoy
watersports such as swimming, boating and jet skiing. The English translation of
this Nipmuc place name is along the lines of “Fishing place at the boundaries -
neutral meeting grounds” and I definitely think it is worth a visit.
Just in case none
of the above appeals to you I do have one last suggestion. Did you know the official ceremonial name for
Bangkok, the Capital of Thailand is Krungthep
Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahadikok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom
Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam
Prasit" This translates to “The city of
angels, great city, residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of
God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the
happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly
abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by
Vishnukarn”. What more is there to say?
Don’t forget that if you would like help with your written English,
check out our website www.writtenenglishcorrected.com
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