Learn How to Pronounce Thomas Sankara | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Thomas Sankara

Quick Answer: In French, the name Thomas Sankara is pronounced [tɔma sɑ̃kaʁa].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Thomas Sankara, the iconic Marxist revolutionary and Pan-Africanist, served as the President of Burkina Faso from his seizure of power in a 1983 coup until his assassination in 1987. During his brief but transformative four-year tenure, often referred to as the "August Revolution," Sankara launched an ambitious program of radical social and political change aimed at achieving national self-reliance and dismantling the legacy of colonialism. His policies, collectively known as "Sankaraism," included widespread vaccination campaigns, unprecedented afforestation efforts to combat desertification, the promotion of women's rights including banning female genital mutilation and forced marriages, and a relentless fight against government corruption. A charismatic and austere leader who famously renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso ("Land of Upright People"), Sankara's legacy as the "African Che Guevara" continues to inspire political movements across the continent and the diaspora, symbolizing anti-imperialist struggle and grassroots development.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Thomas Sankara. Common misspellings often arise from phonetic interpretations or confusion with similar names. Frequent errors include "Thomas Sankura," swapping the 'k' and 'r', and "Thomas Sankara" with a single 'k'. Another occasional typo is "Tomas Sankara," replacing the 'h'. It is also important to note the correct demonym: he was Burkinabé (with an acute accent on the final 'e'), not "Burkinan" or "Burkinese." When referencing his ideology, the term "Sankaraism" is used, which is occasionally misspelled as "Sankarism" or "Sankara-ism."

Example Sentences

Scholars of post-colonial Africa frequently cite Thomas Sankara's 1984 speech at the United Nations as a masterful critique of international debt and neocolonialism.

Many grassroots movements across West Africa draw direct inspiration from Sankara's model of austere, principled leadership and community-led development.

Despite his assassination in 1987, the political philosophy and concrete achievements of Thomas Sankara remain a potent symbol of resistance.

Contemporary documentaries and biographies continue to explore the complex legacy of the Burkinabé revolutionary, ensuring his ideas are introduced to new generations.

The question of who precisely orchestrated the coup that killed Thomas Sankara remains a subject of intense debate and ongoing judicial inquiry in Burkina Faso.

Related Pronunciations

📂 Browse all words in the African Politicians and Leaders category ➔