The Question of How to Pronounce "Qatar"

 

A customer and I argued about it for weeks prior to my departure to Africa. Was the Arab country that was our stopover destination en route to Tanzania properly pronounced “cutter”, like “gutter”, as he insisted, or the more exotic sounding “Kah-tar” (accent on the second syllable), which sprung more readily from my lips? Although neither of us had ever been there before, we were both adamant in our opinions. So I listened carefully while flying Qatar Airways and during our long layover inside the Doha International Airport in its capital city, trying to come up with the correct answer. And what I’ve decided is that it’s a mixture of our two options. The two syllables are definitely pronounced distinctly, rather than run together in one word as he insisted, but although Americans want to put the accent on the second syllable, it appears that the local pronunciation puts it slightly on the first. Thus “Ka’-tar” sees to be the most correct.

What is undeniable about the portions of the capital city that I viewed from the air and the magnificence of the airport through which we walked while waiting to board our next flight, was that no expense was spared to create buildings of the utmost beauty and splendor. Both the city and the airport were still under construction as the country prepared for the World Cup competition that was to take place there in November and December of the same year. But even while still in their unfinished state they were awe-inspiring in design and architecture.

Qatar Airways’ fleet of planes was likewise gorgeously appointed, and every company employee was absolutely dressed to the nines. The first-class compartments we walked through on the way to our spots farther back in the plane were lavish mini cubicles, boasting privacy as well as all kinds of extra amenities. But even our less expensive seats were fully equipped with entertainment options  and the extra comforts that make extremely long flights bearable.

For me, the one thing that made the long trip bearable was finding COFFEE at it’s end! Thankfully the airport was well-supplied in that regard and soon I was refreshed and ready to explore!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits… Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

(Psalms 103:1,5 NKJV)