User talk:(WT-en) Meursault2004

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Thanks for your contributions so far -- looking forward to more! --(WT-en) Evan 01:33, 19 Mar 2004 (EST)

I've seen the volcano's name written "Krakatoa" or "Krakatau". The sound written "oa" in Dutch (I think it occurs only in dialects) is the same as that written "au" in English (as in "laud"). Is that the sound in "Krakatoa"? -(WT-en) phma 23:15, 29 Mar 2004 (EST)


 * Well in modern Malay, especially in Indonesian, the diphtongs "oa" doesn't occur, or at least very rarely. "Au" on the other hand occurs very often. "Oa" is to be pronounced as ['owa] while "au" is to be pronounced as ['au]. I have a possible explanation why the Dutch transcribed the name of this volcano "Krakatoa". Well in 1883, when the volcano erupted, the main island was called Rakata. There was also a smaller island called Rakata Kecil/Ketjil (Little Rakata) to the north-east. It is possible that another name of Rakata was Rakata Tua (Old or Big Rakata). Krakatoa might then just be a Dutch distortion of this name. I hope this is an answer to your question. (WT-en) Meursault2004 07:23, 31 Mar 2004 (EST)