Searching for Utopia :: Hongaria and Rumania :: August

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Around the Globe, HungaryAugust 12, 2008 3:26 am

In Indonesian, Hungary is translated into Hongaria, while Romania becomes Rumania:

Hungary —–> Hongaria
Romania —–> Rumania

(Note how the o substitutes the u in Hongaria, and the opposite in Rumania)

Any idea why? Why not Hungaria and Romania? I know some people use these too, but apparently they’re incorrect. Does it have anything to do with the fact that the two countries are next to each other, and their capital cities have similar names?

2 Comments »

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Rumania is generally accepted in English, whilst the other is not.

Comment by crusher — February 12, 2009 @ 7:49 am
Everything is OK.

Rumania was originally used in English and still is used in many other languages. Later Romanians started to prefer “o” to emphasize connection to Rome (Roman Empire).

Hongaria came via Dutch (as many other Indonesian words) Hongarije.

Comment by Harry — July 19, 2009 @ 12:07 pm

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