Pronunciation of Geographical Terms Unique to Illinois

Illinois has several geographical landmarks, such as the iconic Willis Tower and Navy Pier. Besides these popular sites, the residents of Illinois have a unique way of pronouncing specific geographical terms. Let's take a look at some of the words that only Illinoisans can pronounce correctly.

Regional Dialect

The state of Illinois has a distinct regional dialect. The pronunciation of certain words varies depending on which part of the state you come from. For instance, people from the Chicago area tend to have a unique accent referred to as the "Chicago accent." This accent is characterized by a flattened vowel sound, particularly in words like "bag" and "tag," which sound more like "beg" and "teg."

Waukegan

Waukegan, a city located in Lake County, Illinois, is home to around 86,000 residents. The correct pronunciation of this city's name is "Wau-kee-gan," with the emphasis on the first syllable. However, many people from outside of Illinois mispronounce it as "Wauk-e-gan" or "Wauk-ee-gan."

Illinois

Believe it or not, even the name of the state itself is often mispronounced by those outside of Illinois. Many people say "Ill-ih-noise" or "Ill-uh-noise," but the correct pronunciation is "Ill-uh-noy."

Des Plaines

Des Plaines, a city situated in Cook County, Illinois, is home to around 58,000 residents. The pronunciation of the city's name is often mispronounced by outsiders. The correct pronunciation is "Dess-Planes," with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Champaign

Champaign, a city located in Champaign County, Illinois, is home to around 87,000 residents. The correct pronunciation of the city's name is "Sham-pain," with the emphasis on the second syllable. However, those who are not from Illinois often mispronounce it as "Champ-aign" or "Champ-agne."

The residents of Illinois have a unique way of pronouncing specific geographical terms. From the "Chicago accent" to the pronunciation of city names like Waukegan, Des Plaines, and Champaign, there are many words that only Illinoisans can pronounce correctly. This linguistic exploration reveals the importance of understanding regional dialects and appreciating the diversity of language.