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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2007 : 08:21:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Karl
Santanfara,
I think it is more appropriate to use (THE GAMBIA) when refering to the country. But am afraid to be honest with you, I do not know the history behind the use of (THE) before Gambia. May be others might be interested to remark on this interesting word history you brought forword. We may as well take the point made by Kondorong as the conventional official grammatical referral name to Gambia.
Brothers,
Such things were awaited. This is not a suprise to me at all. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 10:45:42
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Santanfara,
There is more to it than simple matter of English Grammar. THE Gambia implies a definite article as in The Director (one director) as opposed to a Director; one of many directors. The River Gambia is specific to Gambia, thus The Gambia. Beyond that there were instances when the name Gambia was (may be still) confuses with Zambia. One colonial administrator lost a valuable mail dispatched from London by miscarriage to Zambia instead of Gambia. There was wisdom to differentiate the two countries not just by spelling but by inserting a definite article (THE) so that The Gambia rather than Gambia, averting the confusion for Zambia. Until today, don't be embarassed when someone asks: Zambia or Gambia when you introduce where you come from. I do not have at hand any direct source but certainly remembered reading about this Zambia-Gambia along those lines. Let's fine out. |
Karamba |
Edited by - Karamba on 25 May 2007 10:47:39 |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 10:45:42
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Santanfara,
There is more to it than simple matter of English Grammar. THE Gambia implies a definite article as in The Director (one director) as opposed to a Director; one of many directors. The River Gambia is specific to Gambia, thus The Gambia. Beyond that there were instances when the name Gambia was (may be still) confuses with Zambia. One colonial administrator lost a valuable mail dispatched from London by miscarriage to Zambia instead of Gambia. There was wisdom to differentiate the two countries not just by spelling but by inserting a definite article (THE) so that The Gambia rather than Gambia, averting the confusion for Zambia. Until today, don't be embarassed when someone asks: Zambia or Gambia when you introduce where you come from. I do not have at hand any direct source but certainly remembered reading about this Zambia-Gambia along those lines. Let's fine out. |
Karamba |
Edited by - Karamba on 25 May 2007 10:47:39 |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 12:28:06
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| thanks every one for your time ,i will certainly call it THE GAMBIA from now on . |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 12:28:06
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| thanks every one for your time ,i will certainly call it THE GAMBIA from now on . |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 18:20:29
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Karamba
One funny story about the 1981 coup. When Jawara was asked by a BBC reporter in London that there was a coup in Gambia, he responded by saying if the reporter meant Zambia.
Until the reporter told him The Gambia when it sunk in. The confusion beteween the two countries was quite evident especially when Zambia became independent. Mails have ended in the wrong country quite often.
The definite article "The" before Gambia has always been used during colonial times and has nothing to do with the issue of Zambia. Zambia acttually was not the official name of the country. At the start of the 20th century, North-East Rhodesia and North-West Rhodesia were administered, with regard to British interests, by the British South Africa Company. In 1911, they merged to form the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia. The country took the name Zambia when it became independent in 1964. The name Zambia is from the river Zambezi just like Gambia is synonymous with the river.
Zambia and Zimbabwe can be twinned with Gambia and Senegal except for the difference in colonial rulers in the case of the latter.
The confusion was caused by the new independent name Zambia in 1964 when we have always been The Gambia. So the definite article "the" was not used as a response to the new country of Zambia but merely a historical accident.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 18:20:29
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Karamba
One funny story about the 1981 coup. When Jawara was asked by a BBC reporter in London that there was a coup in Gambia, he responded by saying if the reporter meant Zambia.
Until the reporter told him The Gambia when it sunk in. The confusion beteween the two countries was quite evident especially when Zambia became independent. Mails have ended in the wrong country quite often.
The definite article "The" before Gambia has always been used during colonial times and has nothing to do with the issue of Zambia. Zambia acttually was not the official name of the country. At the start of the 20th century, North-East Rhodesia and North-West Rhodesia were administered, with regard to British interests, by the British South Africa Company. In 1911, they merged to form the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia. The country took the name Zambia when it became independent in 1964. The name Zambia is from the river Zambezi just like Gambia is synonymous with the river.
Zambia and Zimbabwe can be twinned with Gambia and Senegal except for the difference in colonial rulers in the case of the latter.
The confusion was caused by the new independent name Zambia in 1964 when we have always been The Gambia. So the definite article "the" was not used as a response to the new country of Zambia but merely a historical accident.
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 19:00:34
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Kondorong,
That is a brialliant recollection. The bit on Jawara is real fun. I guess he was just then in the good mood following the Diana-Prince Charles Royal Wedding. You are right on the historic account about The Gambia. The term THE GAMBIA would have been there long time as being derived from The River Gambia. It may have been ignored when addressing letters etc. Even the National Anthem goes....For The Gambia Our Homeland. Thank you for the correction on the historocal perspective. It was my misinformation. |
Karamba |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 19:00:34
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Kondorong,
That is a brialliant recollection. The bit on Jawara is real fun. I guess he was just then in the good mood following the Diana-Prince Charles Royal Wedding. You are right on the historic account about The Gambia. The term THE GAMBIA would have been there long time as being derived from The River Gambia. It may have been ignored when addressing letters etc. Even the National Anthem goes....For The Gambia Our Homeland. Thank you for the correction on the historocal perspective. It was my misinformation. |
Karamba |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 19:09:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Kondorong,
That is a brialliant recollection. The bit on Jawara is real fun. I guess he was just then in the good mood following the Diana-Prince Charles Royal Wedding. You are right on the historic account about The Gambia. The term THE GAMBIA would have been there long time as being derived from The River Gambia. It may have been ignored when addressing letters etc. Even the National Anthem goes....For The Gambia Our Homeland. Thank you for the correction on the historocal perspective. It was my misinformation.
No. Its no misinformation. Lets celebrate free speech. Its only through free speech that ideas flow.
I have admired your postings here and always a point of reference whenever i log on to the site. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 19:09:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Kondorong,
That is a brialliant recollection. The bit on Jawara is real fun. I guess he was just then in the good mood following the Diana-Prince Charles Royal Wedding. You are right on the historic account about The Gambia. The term THE GAMBIA would have been there long time as being derived from The River Gambia. It may have been ignored when addressing letters etc. Even the National Anthem goes....For The Gambia Our Homeland. Thank you for the correction on the historocal perspective. It was my misinformation.
No. Its no misinformation. Lets celebrate free speech. Its only through free speech that ideas flow.
I have admired your postings here and always a point of reference whenever i log on to the site. |
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