Bill would give OK to 'Ne-VAH-da' pronunciation

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - The misuse of one little vowel frustrates a lot of Nevadans who get irritated by the mispronunciation of the state's name - using an "ah" instead of "a."

Outgoing Assemblyman Harry Mortenson is proposing more tolerance. The Las Vegas Democrat is working on a resolution for the 2011 legislative session to make the "Ne-VAH-da" pronunciation equally acceptable to the one with the short "a."

Mortenson says he's not asking Nevadans to change. He just wants the Spanish pronunciation recognized.

Nevadans have long bristled over the issue. In 1944, Reno newspapers even scolded former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey for his "East Coast" pronunciation during an appearance.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.