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Various online dictionaries say that it is pronounced "hah-vuh-LEE-nuh", but the people who live in southwestern states where javelinas are found (e.g., Arizona and Texas) say that the correct pronunciation is "have-a-leen-a". The main difference is whether the first "a" is a short vowel or pronounced "ah" like the "a" in "father".

It is usually a good idea to go with the local pronunciation. Locals are likely to be very aware of pronunciation that brands you as an outsider, where as outsiders are less likely to notice. Examples of this include the pronunciation of Nevada (again, it's the difference between a short "a" and an "ah" sound in the middle syllable) and Oregon (locals pronounce the last syllable as "gun" and not "gone").

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12y ago

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