I was thinking this morning about how New Zealanders just know, by linguistic osmosis, that certain geographical areas of the country get a “the” in front of them and others don’t.
For example, it’s always “the North Island” and “the South Island”. If I ever see anyone refer to “North Island” with reference to New Zealand, I know they’re not from around here. But the third-largest island is “Stewart Island”. No “the”.
Then, regional names: it’s Northland, Southland, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, Poverty Bay, Taranaki; but the Waikato, the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, the King Country, the Mackenzie Country, the Maniototo, and the Wairarapa. (The) Hawkes Bay can go either way. As far as I can work out, there is no rule operating by which you can tell whether to use a “the” or not, but any geographically aware New Zealander will know which is which, and use the right version without thinking.
This is the kind of thing that a local just knows, but you won’t usually see written down anywhere for non-locals. (You won’t usually, maybe won’t ever, see the above distinctions made on maps, for example.) So, if you’re setting a story outside your own locality and culture, it pays to check with someone who knows that place and culture as an insider.
The Netherlands (English) versus Nederland (Dutch) ???? here it could have something to do with one is plural the other singular
The Netherlands (English) versus Nederland (Dutch) ???? here it could have something to do with one is plural the other singular
The Netherlands (English) versus Nederland (Dutch) ???? here it could have something to do with one is plural the other singular
The Netherlands (English) versus Nederland (Dutch) ???? here it could have something to do with one is plural the other singular
The Netherlands (English) versus Nederland (Dutch) ???? here it could have something to do with one is plural the other singular
It’s similar to how different regions is the US put “the” in front of their highway numbers (or don’t). I don’t pretend to have a clue, but I know it’s “the 405” but “94.”
It’s similar to how different regions is the US put “the” in front of their highway numbers (or don’t). I don’t pretend to have a clue, but I know it’s “the 405” but “94.”
It’s similar to how different regions is the US put “the” in front of their highway numbers (or don’t). I don’t pretend to have a clue, but I know it’s “the 405” but “94.”
It’s similar to how different regions is the US put “the” in front of their highway numbers (or don’t). I don’t pretend to have a clue, but I know it’s “the 405” but “94.”
It’s similar to how different regions is the US put “the” in front of their highway numbers (or don’t). I don’t pretend to have a clue, but I know it’s “the 405” but “94.”
Good point. Being aware of local knowledge when setting a story there is really important if you want the story to be enjoyed in that area. Otherwise, it can jar with the reader. It would also be a good way of showing that a character isn’t local to that area, by having them make a mistake and either being caught out in a lie or corrected in a friendly manner.
Good point. Being aware of local knowledge when setting a story there is really important if you want the story to be enjoyed in that area. Otherwise, it can jar with the reader. It would also be a good way of showing that a character isn’t local to that area, by having them make a mistake and either being caught out in a lie or corrected in a friendly manner.
Good point. Being aware of local knowledge when setting a story there is really important if you want the story to be enjoyed in that area. Otherwise, it can jar with the reader. It would also be a good way of showing that a character isn’t local to that area, by having them make a mistake and either being caught out in a lie or corrected in a friendly manner.
Good point. Being aware of local knowledge when setting a story there is really important if you want the story to be enjoyed in that area. Otherwise, it can jar with the reader. It would also be a good way of showing that a character isn’t local to that area, by having them make a mistake and either being caught out in a lie or corrected in a friendly manner.
Good point. Being aware of local knowledge when setting a story there is really important if you want the story to be enjoyed in that area. Otherwise, it can jar with the reader. It would also be a good way of showing that a character isn’t local to that area, by having them make a mistake and either being caught out in a lie or corrected in a friendly manner.