So I came across a movie preview for a film called Amreeka the other day. Naturally I was intrigued. Amreeka, pronounced “Umreeka”, for those of you who don’t know, is the brown man’s name for America. This particular film, is about a Palestinian family’s journey to America. Looks cute, check out the trailer below.
My question, though, is about the origin of the word “Amreeka.” According to an interview with Cherian Dabis, director of Amreeka, “Amreeka is the Arabic word for America.”
Yes, but it’s also the Urdu word. And the Hindi word. And Lord knows how many other cultures say Amreeka isntead of America. Anyone know any linguists who study South Asian cultures who can tell me why we all say “Amreeka” instead of “America?”
thats how we were taught to say …not to talk about so many other Pronunciations
(lols),Basically it would b the Punjabi Version More than Urdu/Hindi Version of America
I always just thought it was a pronounciation thing. :P America + ‘brown accent’ = Amreeka.
Hmm, what is the Urdu/Hindi pronunciation of America as opposed to the Punjabi? Thought they all said it the same way?
Thanks for siahrng. Always good to find a real expert.