Learn How to Pronounce Port au Prince | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Port au Prince

Quick Answer: In French, the name Port au Prince is pronounced [pɔʁ o pʁɛ̃s], in Haitian Creole it is [pɔʁ o pʁɛ̃s], and in English it is [ˌpɔːrt oʊ ˈprɪns].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Port-au-Prince, the bustling capital and primary metropolis of Haiti, was founded by French settlers in 1749 and has since evolved into the nation's indispensable political, economic, and cultural heart. Situated on the Gulf of Gonâve, this densely populated city is a study in contrasts, where vibrant art scenes, historic landmarks like the Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (MUPANAH) and the Iron Market (Marché en Fer), coexist with the profound challenges of poverty and seismic vulnerability, tragically underscored by the catastrophic 2010 earthquake. As the chief port of Haiti, Port-au-Prince handles the majority of the country's imports and exports, serving as the central hub for government, finance, and international aid organizations. Its rich cultural tapestry is expressed through dynamic Carnival celebrations, compelling Haitian art, and the distinctive sounds of compas music, making it a focal point for understanding Haiti's resilient spirit and complex history.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Port-au-Prince, which includes two hyphens. Common misspellings and variations arise from omitting hyphens, altering punctuation, or misspelling individual words. Frequent errors include "Port au Prince" (missing hyphens), "Port-Au-Prince" (incorrect capitalization of 'au'), and "Port of Prince" (a direct mistranslation). Other typos involve "Port-au-Prince" (a missing 'c') or "Port-au-Prince" (swapping 'a' and 'u'). In French, from which the name originates, all three words are capitalized, and the hyphens are essential. When searching for information, using the correct hyphenated form yields the most accurate results, though major search engines often correct the most common hyphen-less version.

Example Sentences

After the devastating 2010 earthquake, international efforts focused heavily on rebuilding infrastructure and communities in Port-au-Prince.

Tourists visiting Haiti often land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport before exploring the historic gingerbread houses and bustling Iron Market in Port-au-Prince.

The political stability of the entire nation often hinges on developments within the National Palace and government ministries located in Port-au-Prince.

Scholars of Caribbean art frequently travel to Port-au-Prince to study the works of renowned painters at the Centre d'Art.

Navigating the traffic-choked streets of Port-au-Prince requires patience, as the city's geography is constrained by the surrounding mountains and sea.

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