Another history

Re “Place names” (Your Views, Jan. 27): The author takes issue with the mispronunciation of Norfolk, arguing that “Naw-fuk” is not only proper, it is history. This may be true but is only representative of 18th century English colonial history and does not take into account the much older indigenous local identification.

As detailed in a January 1997 Virginian-Pilot piece that referenced an even older 1905 article, in 1584 Capt. Arthur Barlowe, participating in Sir Walter Raleigh’s expedition to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, identified the area by the local Chesepian tribe name “Skicoak.”

There is this tendency for some people to believe that local history only began when Europeans settled here and only their claims or appellations are relevant. While the author cited place names reflecting Native American culture, outrage only seems to be extended toward English slights.

Skicoak reflected a very old and likely very sacred designation owing to the discovery of hundreds of indigenous skeletons elaborately arranged in a circle around a central burial mound. Archaeologists believed it to be only one of hundreds or thousands of such mounds in the region. We may never truly know as these indigenous graves were plowed under to make way for the Norfolk Naval Station and the area of Sewells Point.

Yes, proper pronunciation of a British town might be relevant but so is the original place name: “ski-co-ak.” Alas, as the indigenous population was virtually eradicated, there likely isn’t anyone to air its discontent with any mispronunciation.