Thursday, February 15, 2007

Bahamian vs. Bohemian: Get it Right People!

One more thing! It just makes me cringe to hear reporter, after reporter, referring to things of and relating to the Bahamas as "Bohemian".  Seriously? News and Entertainment People you are paid to get the facts straight not proliferate ignorance. Please, my elementary school student knows the difference.

Things of and relating to the Bahamas are "Bahamian" not "Bohemian". There is a difference! Like an entire ocean of difference and associated land mass type and size, not to mention climate. The Bahamas are a tropical set of Islands, near the equator, in the Caribbean. Bohemia is a region in the now Czech Republic, in Eastern Europe.








Thanks to Anna Nicole Smith you've learned some useful geography and terminology. God Bless Anna ... May you find peace and renewal before heading to your next great adventure.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

My friend just got back from the Bahamas and was telling me all about how cool Bohemian culture, food, etc is. I thought it sounded weird but I figured he was right since he had just spent time there. So glad I was skeptical enough to google it. Thanks!

Michelle (Isabelle) said...

Had forgotten about this post?! : ) But I am glad that you found it useful ... even after all this time. Never been to the Bahamas myself ... hope to get there one day soon. Peace! -TM

Alissa said...

I never understood why people even said "Bohemian". I'm Bahamian and whenever I tell people this, they say stuff like "you're Bohemian? that's so cool!" and it always bugged me because I didn't know why everyone said it wrong. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much!

I had a discussion recently with this topic as a 'disagreement' and everyone thought I was crazy when I was describing a Bahamian Beer {from The Bahamian Brewery].

they said I was being silly and just to say the word right - Bohemian. I just gave up when I tried to explain they couldn't be two in the same!

Cheers

Michelle (Isabelle) said...

I feel your frustration, Anonymous! Consider yourself not only educated, but enlightened. Glad I could help back up your initial instincts. Cheers back to you!

Michelle (Isabelle) said...

Thank you for the heads-up on slow page loading times. Been ages since I considered that aspect of my blog. Too many widgets and posts on the front page. Think I've cleaned it up a bit now. Appreciate your suggestions! Best to you! ~M

Gabi Plumm said...

“Bohemianism is a way of life both fleeting and enduring that reappears every now and then as a backlash against our bourgeois, mass market, easy access culture.” It is an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people and with few permanent ties. It involves musical, artistic, literary or spiritual pursuits, sometimes involving drugs and loose morals. English expatriates living in the Bahamas are often people who have rejected living a conventional lifestyle back in England and often refer to themselves as living a Bohemian lifestyle. The local population have picked up on this and so the connotations of being Bohemian fits well with the general Bahamian population - and so the two names have merged into the one.

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Michelle (Isabelle) said...

Thank you for your input, Gabbi!

Michelle (Isabelle) said...

Thank you, Anonymous. Appreciate your kind words and taking time to comment!

Unknown said...

Please preach this word and place it on banners, have CNN do a BREAKING NEWS report. I too am a Bahamian and get sooooooo irritated when people say Bohemian!!! Jesus !


Another thing I hate while we’re at it ... the letter “ O” and “ A” ARE NOT the same. So my name is Tanya. Never ever ever had a problem growing up in The Bahamas with Bahamians pronouncing Tanya!

The minute I moved to the states and people ask my name - it might as wel had been something out of the urban dictionary like “ Taquinsha” or something ridiculous. I say “Hi my name is Tanya. “ The next certified dumb question is “ Is it Tanya or Tonya.” I clarify again . “ TAN ...Ya. Believe it or the ignorance then reaches an untimel level of stupidity. “ oh cause my sister’s name is Tanya but she spells it with an “ O”. In my mind I am like you stupid idiot - did you skip phonics???? So with a smile I reply “ oh that’s Tonya not TANYA.

People there is a difference. If you are going to darken your skin st a tanning salon... you don’t say. “ I am going to get a “TON” do you?? You say - “ I am going to get a TAN. So why is it so hard to add the YA and say TAN-YA ?!!? \o/ this makes me so mad!! Get it together people !!

Michelle (Isabelle) said...

It can be frustrating when people get the name of the place where you're from wrong, on multiple levels. I hear you! And to get your name wrong as well, I can't even begin to imagine your frustration. Make your case and pick your battles, I guess. That's about all you can do, short of changing your name which doesn't reallyseem fair? Well, if ever I meet you in person I will be sure to pronounce your name correctly, Tanya, with an "A". Thanks for sharing! Know that you're not alone. Best to you and your efforts to help people pronounce important names and words correctly!

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