Well....personally I prefer Rhodesia over Zimbawe, and Burma over Mynamar, but I am an "O.F" and I grew up with these names as a young SWL and DX'er. With the end of the Colonization Period and independence, many countries have chosen more traditional names in the native dialogue. I am sure that we would all prefer United States of America rather than keep the old name of New Britainia.
The New Hebridies sounds much more romantic than Vanatau - I can't even spell it off the bat without looking it up, much less pronounce it correctly. If you try to pronounce it in English from the correct spelling using what you think the correct syllables are, 99.9 % of us will mis-pronounce it. Whatever we think, is just whatever we think. We are all entitled to an opinion, right or wrong. These countries, however, have gained their independence like we did, so they are certainly entitled to a name of their choice. I am sure the people of these countries could care less whether we like it or not. ....and like it or not, it is Hatfield, Zimbawe. Oddly enough the large towns in these countries have, for the most part, retained their original names. Of course Ho Chi Minh City is a definite exception, but I think the former South Vietnam is definite exception altogethor. (Strictly an opinion). Guess I better QRT - beginning to mix politics with DX'ing - not good ! 73 and Gud DX (whatever you want to call it), Larry Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
