Re: Banana pronunciation
The good thing about Latin names is that since no one really speaks Latin anymore, you can only go so far arguing about correct pronunciation. Since Latin names are literature based and then often made up words anyway, there is no guide for the correct pronunciation.
I have a book buried somewhere which I’m sure has the precise answer, but from I remember I’m fairly sure “basjoo” comes originally from “bajiao” which is a Chinese word for any and all banana plants. It may also have been from “basho” a Japanese word for the M. balbisiana of Southern Japan with which M. basjoo is often confused. However, I think “basho” is a derivative of “bajiao” anyway, as the plants in Japan originally came from China.
For what it’s worth I pronounce it like “bass (like the fish) ju”
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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.
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