Locations in Maine: A Pronunciation Guide
Countless names for Maine cities, towns, villages, rivers, lakes, and streams have Native American origins; some are variations on French; and a few have German derivations. Below are some pronunciations to give you a leg up when requesting directions along the Maine coast.
Pronunciation 101: How to Say It Like a Local
Arundel | Uh-RUN-d’l |
Bangor | BANG-gore |
Bremen | BREE-m’n |
Calais | CAL-us |
Castine | Kass-TEEN |
Damariscotta | dam-uh-riss-COTT-uh |
Harraseeket | Hare-uh-SEEK-it |
Isle au Haut | i’ll-a-HO, I’LL-a-ho (subject to plenty of dispute, depending on whether or not you live in the vicinity) |
Katahdin | Kuh-TA-din |
Lubec | Loo-BECK |
Machias | Muh-CHIGH-us |
Matinicus | Muh-TIN-i-cuss |
Medomak | Muh-DOM-ick |
Megunticook | Muh-GUN-tuh-cook |
Monhegan | Mun-HE-gun |
Mount Desert | Mount Duh-ZERT |
Narraguagus | Nare-uh-GWAY-gus |
Naskeag | NASS-keg |
Passagassawakeag | Puh-sag-gus-uh-WAH-keg |
Passamaquoddy | Pass-uh-muh-QUAD-dee |
Pemaquid | PEM-a-kwid |
Saco | SOCK-oh |
Schoodic | SKOO-dick |
Steuben | Stew-BEN |
Topsham | TOPS-’m |
Wiscasset | Wiss-CASS-it |
Woolwich | WOOL-itch |
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