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In reply to the discussion: Foreign kings' names [View all]Bucky
(54,094 posts)6. We use Emperor for what the Austrians called Kaiser. So that's one exception.
We say "Sultan of Turkey" but "King of France" even though sultan is the Turkish word for roi. There really is no consistancy.
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Interesting. I'm still not sure why the courtesy was extended to Germany but not Austria.
Bucky
May 2013
#10
Because the English pronunciation hasn't changed as much as the French one has
Spider Jerusalem
May 2013
#37
Me too. I always say "zhong guo" (pronounced "jum gwoo") instead of China, for example.
Nye Bevan
May 2013
#47
Do the Kims in North Korea count as 'kings' - grandfather - father - son - sounds like royalty.
pampango
May 2013
#51
I dunno. I go with what's common, and popular usage of words/terms isn't always logical
NYC Liberal
May 2013
#52