Oh dear Anthony, I believe Evie is telling you a bit of a fib. Yes, it is not appreciated to have Newfoundland mispronounced, people are insulted, however you will certainly not be beaten for it. Perhaps 30 years ago, however not these days. Tourism is now our main industry, and there would be no point to being violent with those who are our bread and butter!

The mis-pronunciation of Newfoundland does have very emotional origins however. When I was a young child, 50 years back, Newfoundland was extremely poor, and many Newfoundlanders had to leave their beloved island to find work. Many ended up working in factories and other manual labour in Toronto. The Torontonians were, to put it politely, rather snobbish, and not known for being kind to Newfoundlanders. There was much prejudice. Coincidentally, the Torontonians also mispronounced the name of the island. So when we hear the island mispronounced, we think of Toronto and how badly our older family members were treated there. It is actually far more of an insult to hear a Canadian mispronounce the name, as they should know better. Foreigners are treated with more leniency.