Around the world, Americans can be found modifying the spelling, sound, or appearance of a country’s name. Perhaps I am being a little overstated. The practice of changing names began long before the United States of America was even conceived.
China gained its name based on one family’s rise to power (The Qin) and their succesful marketing efforts. They are still the Middle Country in their own language.
And what about Japan. Nippon is the local way to call the country.
Germany? Deustchland?
The US government doesn’t recognize Myanmar. We still call it Burma. (I’m convinced this is a dialect issue…the original country name probably sounded like something in-between Burma and Myanmar…we just can’t spell that way….) (more…)
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