#23: The Literal Translation of Country Names
Have you ever thought about the literal translation of country names? It’s quite entertaining. Names of countries are open to interpretations and layers, particularly when they’ve been through multiple translation levels. It is still interesting to trace where they’re thought to originate. The following are a few translations of the most well-known countries.
Canada is derived from Kanata, an Iroquoian word for settlement or village. The United States of America’s name honors Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer credited with correcting Christopher Columbus, who mistook the land for the East Indies. Mexico is a simplified translation of the Aztec capital, Metztlixihtlico. Brazil is shortened from Terro do Brasil, which means the land of Brazil.