Raiz, I would like to pronounce Assam as in Assamese language, even if the word is written in Chinese.
Changing the spelling is not the solution, pronouncing the proper noun correctly is what matters. Many writers have given examples of name change like Madras to Chennai or Bombay to Mumbai. But these are altogether different words -- it's not a change of pronunciation. Calcutta could have been correctly pronounced as Kolkota without ever changing the spelling. How many of us will be able to correctly pronounce the designer's names just by their spellings? I have heard Rita Borgohain Payne many times pronouncing Assam and all other Assamese names just like an Assamese do. That's what BBC recommends. Pronouncing the proper nouns correctly. We can give publicity through the electronic media, the news channels, websites on how to pronounce Assam correctly. That way we can popularise Assam as Assam and not confuse with the spelling change. Googling will be difficult for me. Mozz _______________________________________________ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org