Europe Countries Whose Names In Their Native Language Are Completely Different From Their English Names

Map created by reddit user PepperBluesThe map above shows which countries in Europe have English names that are totally different from the name in their own native language. they are:

Countries and their native names:

1. Germany – Deutschland
2. Finland – Suomi
3. Hungary – Magyarország
4. Croatia – Hrvatska
5. Montenegro – Crna Gora
6. Albania – Shqipëri
7. Greece – Ελλάδα (Elláda)

Why do English speakers not use these names for these countries?

English speakers, like speakers of many languages, use their own names for countries rather than the native names due to historical, linguistic, and practical reasons:

1. Historical Evolution of Names

• Many country names in English derive from older forms of communication, trade, and colonial or diplomatic interactions. For example:
  • Germany comes from the Latin “Germania,” a name the Romans used to describe the region.
  • Greece originates from the Latin “Graecia,” while Greeks call their country “Elláda” (Ελλάδα).
• English often adopted names from Latin, French, or other languages, rather than from the local languages of the countries themselves.

2. Pronunciation and Phonetics

• Native names can be difficult for English speakers to pronounce due to differences in phonetics and orthography. For example:
  • “Magyarország” (Hungary) has sounds and a structure that might feel challenging for English speakers.
  • Instead, a simpler or more familiar name is often used, such as “Hungary,” which comes from medieval Latin influences.

3. Colonial and Linguistic Standardization

• During colonial and early modern periods, European powers, including England, often standardized names for global communication and trade. These names became entrenched in English vocabulary and maps.
• Local names were less known and often ignored in favor of easier-to-remember or commonly used alternatives.

4. Cultural Perception and Accessibility

• Using names that are familiar to English speakers fosters accessibility and ease of communication.
  • For instance, “Deutschland” might be less intuitive for an English speaker than “Germany.”

5. Cross-Linguistic Borrowing

• Names in English are often influenced by other languages’ terms for the same country. For example:
  • “Hungary” is derived from the medieval Latin “Hungaria,” not the Hungarian “Magyarország.”
  • “Albania” comes from Latin and Greek terms (“Albania” or “Albanoi”) for the region, not the local “Shqipëri.”

6. Global Standardization Over Time

• As English became a global language, historical names became fixed in global communication. This inertia makes it difficult to change to native names, as they are not as widely recognized.

What do you think should English speakers change what they call each of these countries?