Tonguex-tried

ABQjournal Opinion: Letters to the Editor
Let’s Pronounce ‘Tiguex’ Right

THE SAD passing of my longtime friend Millie Santillanes has brought to mind another sadness, which I would like to see rectified at long last.

In conjunction with Millie’s many civic accomplishments, it has been mentioned that she was connected to Tiguex Park. In stating that, once again news anchors and reporters are afforded the chance to perpetuate an incorrect pronunciation of the park’s name in calling it “Tee-gway!”

To do so dishonors not only Millie, but also the late historian Eleanor Sewell, who named it to celebrate the original people and settlement on the site, and it is offensive the many modern day descendants of that ancient civilization. …

People— including media people— living here should honor the true founders and first settlers of this place. They were the Tiguex (Tee-wesh), that was the name of their settlement here and “Tee-wesh” is the only pronunciation. …

RICK HUFF
Albuquerque

http://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/letters/588943opinion08-25-07.htm

New Mexico is fraught with pronunciation landmines like Madrid and Thoreau (in case you thought it was limited to anglo mangling of Spanish.) I’ve always avoided talking about “that park near the Albuquerque Museum” because it looks like a French word, and French spelling and pronunciation have no connection in my mind. Still, I like the modern sound of “to go.” mjh

PS: I’ve also heard “Jemez” as “Jemesh.”

Tiguex pueblo – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiguex, also referred to as Coofor or Alcanfor, was the pueblo commandeered by the army of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado for the winters of 1540-41 and 1541-42 on the west bank of the Rio Grande, north of present-day Albuquerque, N.M. The ruins of that pueblo are now known as Santiago, located on the boundary between housing developments of Bernalillo and Rio Rancho, N.M. About 300 yards to the west is the site of the only proven Coronado campsite, discovered in a road-widening project in 1986.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiguex_pueblo

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One thought on “Tonguex-tried”

  1. Small correction to the last sentence in your wiki

    quote:

    “About 300 yards to the west is the site of the only proven Coronado campsite, __purposely destroyed__ during a road-

    widening project in 1986.”

    Texans visiting the Jemez have been known to pronounce it “Juh-MAY-ehz.” Honestagawd.

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