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."

"The bottom line is, I do not want to change the pronunciation that Nevadans use for their state," Mortenson said. "I am trying only to ask them to be tolerant of those who use the Spanish pronunciation."

Mortenson said he has heard from both sides since submitting the bill draft request.

"I expected a big controversy, and I got it," he said. "I've had a few individuals who support me, and I've had a few individual e-mails that are very negative. If it weren't an issue that people feel strongly about, they wouldn't bother to correct individuals who pronounce it differently."

Mortenson, who is leaving office by term limits, said he'll ask one of his colleagues to carry the legislation on his behalf next year.

Nevadans have long bristled over the issue. In 1944, Reno newspapers even scolded former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, a one-time Reno resident, for his "quaint East Coast" pronunciation during an appearance to help sell war bonds.

More recently, the issue has become a political litmus test, as Nevada is a swing state in presidential elections.

In 2003, President George W. Bush mispronounced the state name, as did Bush's opponent, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Bush's gaffe made national news after then-state archivist Guy Rocha pointed it out.

Rocha was criticized by a national conservative radio talk show and attacked in e-mails for weeks afterward for correcting the president.

"I found myself caught in the middle of a vitriolic firestorm," he said later.

More recently, ABC News personality George Stephanopoulos was booed while moderating a Carson City Democratic presidential forum when he flubbed the name.

First Lady Michelle Obama, quickly caught her own mispronunciation, while introducing her husband at an appearance here, shouting, "Ne-VAD-a, Ne-VAD-a, Ne-VAD-a: I know how to say it!"

Rocha disputes Mortenson's contention that the 'Ne-VAH-da' pronunciation has Spanish roots. He also argues that a determination on the correct way to pronounce any state's or community's name should fall to local residents.

"Nevadans are at a point now where 'Ne-VAH-da' is unacceptable," he said.