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Where the stress falls in New Orleans

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, can someone explain why the ABC and SBS, both of which pride themselves on their careful pronunciation of foreign names, can’t get New Orleans right? It’s not “Or-LEENS”; it’s either two syllables, with the stress on the first – “OR-luns” – or three syllables, with first and third stressed […]

Charles Richardson

Aug 31, 2005

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, can someone explain why the ABC and
SBS, both of which pride themselves on their careful pronunciation of
foreign names, can’t get New Orleans right? It’s not “Or-LEENS”; it’s
either two syllables, with the stress on the first – “OR-luns” – or
three syllables, with first and third stressed – “OR-le-ANS” (or, for
the very French, “OR-leh-ANH”).

About the Author

Charles Richardson

Psephologist and writer

Charles Richardson has contributed to Crikey since 2002, and was a ministerial adviser in the Kennett government and a former editorial manager at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney.