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Why is there a "v" in "Peruvian"?
Is it just for easier pronunciation or are there historical reasons? The "v" isn't there in Spanish (peruano) or any other language AFAIK. Does English insert a stray consonant into any other names of nationalities or languages?
Neil, that's why I mentioned easier pronunciation and asked for other instances of inserted consonants. We don't add a consonant to "Ohioan," "Minoan," "Iroquoian," or "Andean." Why do we say "Siouan" but not "Peruan" since the sound is the same?
3 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
"Peruvian" comes from old Spanish demonym of Peru, "peruviano", which in turn comes from the name of Peru in Latin language (Peruvia).
The current Spanish demonym of Peru is "peruano".
Saludos (=
Source(s): I'm Peruvian. - NeilLv 71 decade ago
Every language is different. In English, Peru ends with the vowel 'u', and it's very difficult to add a suffix without beginning it with a consonant. Otherwise it sounds horrible and it's difficult to say: "Peruian".
