20061127 Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose story by K Volkmann

Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose –
story by K Volkmann in the Baltimore Examiner

November 28th, 2006

Kelsey Volkmann, who writes for the Baltimore Examiner has a fun story in the November 27th, 2006 edition of the paper, “Extra syllable a common addition in Westminster,” about the common mispronunciation of the City of Westminster.

I have come to really like Ms. Volkmann’s brand of “community reporting” and it is little vignettes like this that make reading the Baltimore Examiner fun. What a welcome addition to the journalist pool in Carroll County.

After I talked with her on the phone, as usually happens, what I wished that I had also called to her attention is the piece written by Gertrude Stein, in 1913, “Sacred Emily.”

In that poem, Ms. Stein wrote, "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose."

Heckfire, whatever ya call it, Westminster is Westminster is Westminster, no matter how ya pronounce it. It sure is a great place to call home.

A few excerpts from Ms. Volkmann’s article:

Local: Extra syllable a common addition in Westminster

http://www.examiner.com/a-421605~Extra_syllable_a_common_addition_in_Westminster.html

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner, Read more by Kelsey Volkmann, Nov 27, 2006 3:00 AM

Westminster - Natives blame newcomers, but even longtime residents of Carroll County don’t notice they add an extra syllable to the county seat’s name, calling it “West-min-IS-ter.”

[…]

But how did this linguistic phenomenon start?

Language is constantly changing, said Jasna Meyer, an expert in language and discourse at McDaniel College in Westminster.

[…]
Kevin Dayhoff, a former Westminster mayor and well-known blogger, blamed newbies to the county.

“You don’t hear us crusty old locals saying it,” he said.

[…]

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com

Read the rest here. What fun.

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