Only Louisianans Can Pronounce These 11 Louisiana Words Correctly

Louisiana has a deep history with both Native American and French/Acadian cultures, and you’ll see those influences everywhere, especially in the dialect. If you’re from The Pelican State, then these Louisiana words will be a piece of cake for you to pronounce. However, it's easy to spot the tourists and newbies, as they may stumble over a word or two. When it comes to these 11 hard Louisiana words to pronounce, see how many you can say correctly without hesitation.

Words Only Louisiana Locals Can Pronounce Correctly

1. Tchoupitoulas

Tourists certainly have a tough time with this one. It's "CHOP-uh-too-lus." To be honest, most locals shorten it to "Tchop."

2. Natchitoches

Louisiana’s oldest permanent settlement is pronounced "NACK-o-dish," and it's worth a visit! This might be the most charming Christmas town in Louisiana; they really go big for the holiday season.

3. Tchefuncte

About 70 miles long, the name of this river is derived from the word "Hachofaki." Hachofaki is the Choctaw word for the American chinquapin, a plant that was used to relieve headaches and fevers. This one is pronounced, "chuh-FUNK-tah." Check out Fairview-Riverside State Park for a good view of the river, or head out to Madisonville's Wooden Boat Festival in the fall.

4. Tangipahoa

Whether you’re referring to the parish or the river, Tangipahoa comes from an Acolapissa word meaning "ear of corn" or "those who gather corn". It's pronounced, "Tang-uh-pah-hoa."

5. Opelousas

This one may look tricky, but just sound it out, and you’ll be fine. It's "Op-el-oo-sas."

6. Atchafalaya

The nation’s largest river swamp may have a funny name, but it’s pronounced: "At-cha-fuh-laya."

7. Grosse Tete

This one certainly cocks a few eyebrows. It's "Gross TATE."

8. Pontchartrain

Fun fact: the lake was originally named Okwata by local Native Americans, which meant "wide water," but its modern moniker is pronounced "Pon-cha-train."

9. New Orleans

You'd think this one would be a no-brainer, but there are actually two different pronunciations for this New Orleans lingo, depending on what you're referring to. If you’re talking about the parish, then it's pronounced "Or-LEENS" (rhymes with jeans). If you’re talking about the city, then go with "New or-LINDZ." It's very important you do not mix these up.

10. Ouachita

"Wash-ah-taw." Not so hard, right?

11. Burgundy

This New Orleans street has been giving tourists a hard time for years. You would think it’s pronounced like the color, but no, that would be too easy. Put the emphasis in the middle and say "Bur-GUN-dee." If you say this wrong in New Orleans, someone will probably correct you immediately. Not in a negative way, just an educational correction. We're friendly, we promise!

Why Louisiana Words Are So Hard To Pronounce

The simplest explanation for these Louisiana pronunciations lies in our history. Our French and Spanish backgrounds bleed into everything from our architecture to our cuisines to our last names. Of course, major ports like Baton Rouge and New Orleans brought new accents with every trade, and you can certainly hear them in many New Orleans accents. They sound a bit like a New Yorker! 

Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole culture plays a large role, too. While Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole are both critically endangered languages, they continue to leave their mark with popular Louisiana phrases and unique Cajun sayings.

Well, how'd you do? Did you score 11 out of 11? See if you can ace the next level with these classic Cajun phrases, or these New Orleans phrases that will have you sounding like a local in no time. There's certainly no shortage of Louisiana words and phrases to brush up on.