January 4, 2011
Editor, Amandala
Dear Editor,
A few years ago after I first observed “Belmopan City” being used prominently in the BTL phone directory in reference to our nation’s capital, I sent a letter to BTL Customer Service to notify that errors as these could eventually spin out of control and become more difficult to undo. Needless to say, that request was ignored.
Since then the improper name, Belmopan City, has continued to be increasingly used by the media, on phone bills, insurance bills, advertisements, at schools and, surprisingly, even on letterheads and correspondence of Government ministries and departments.
Some months ago Mr. C. B. Hyde also lamented in the Amandala, about this widespread misuse and reminded that the proper name is Belmopan not Belmopan City. The time is overdue for all to understand why this is so and to return to the rightful use of the name of our nation’s capital.
In cases where the word “City” is appended as part of the name of a city, this is done to differentiate it from the same name it shares with the country or district. For example, Mexico City is so called because it shares the name of that country. Likewise, there are Guatemala City and Panama City sharing the names of their countries. New York City is so called because it shares the name of that state. Belize City is the name used in order to distinguish it from the same name of the country and district.
Throughout our entire hemisphere and globally, only a few cities share the same names of their state or country.
Accordingly, one does not say London City, Washington DC City, Port of Spain City, or Bridgetown City; that would be erroneous. Rather, because the names of these cities do not share the same name of the country or district, we say London, Washington DC, Port of Spain, Bridgetown, Moscow, Ottawa, Tegucigalpa, Caracas, Georgetown, San Jose, or Kingston.
Likewise, to rub in the point, we do not say Miami City or Chetumal City but rather Miami or Chetumal. It is also proper to say Corozal Town or Orange Walk Town while Dangriga and San Ignacio stand alone. Get the picture?
The media, marketing agents of companies, schools, and especially government ministries and departments should, therefore, make all attempts to correct the widespread erroneous use of Belmopan City and return to the use of proper name, Belmopan.
Sincerely,
Jerry A. Enriquez