This pronunciation guide is a joint effort by Associated Press member stations in Montana. News directors, assignment editors and other station personnel provided many of the pronouncers for the “Newsmakers” section.

Much of the groundwork was done years ago when Tom Laceky, then the AP broadcast editor in Helena, compiled an extensive list of pronouncers for use by the AP staff. John Kuglin, AP bureau chief in Montana, built on those efforts in compiling the first AP Montana Pronunciation Guide in 1986.

Al Nash, a former news director at KTV-TV in Billings who at the time was a visiting professor at the University of Montana, contributed significantly to the 1995 edition.

The current volume carries that work forward. As in the past, AP statehouse reporter Bob Anez led the effort to compile legislative pronouncers. The state’s pioneering pronunciation guide, Montana Place Names, was written by the late Olaf J. Bue, journalism professor at the University of Montana. Many of his pronouncers are incorporated in this guide.

Len Iwanski
AP Broadcast Editor, Helena

Aasheim, Ron _ AHSS'-hyme _ state Wildlife Dept. official
Aderhold, Mike _ ADD'-er-hold _  FWP Kalispell
Agee, Shannon _ AY'-jee _ pole vaulter
Alme, Kurt _ AWL'-mee _ state revenue director
Ansotegui, Ray _ an-SOH'-tuh-ghee_ MSU beef cattle researcher
Argenbright, Ed _ AR'-gun-bryte _ former polit. practices commissioner
Auch, Allan _ AWK _ Hamilton police chief
Aune, Keith _ AWN'-ee _ FWP wildlife biologist
Barnea, Uri _ OO'-ree bar-NAY'-uh _ Billings Symphony conductor
Baquet, Alan _ BAY'-kwet _ ag-economist at MSU
Bauder, James _ BOH'-der _ MSU extension specialist
Baugh, G. Todd _ BAW _ district judge
Beattie, Carla _ BEE'-dee _ former UM women's basketball player
Beltrone, Peggy _ bel-TROHN' _ Cascade County commissioner
Bergoust, Eric _ BURG'-ust _ aerial freestyle skier from Missoula
Berube, Daniel T. _ BAIR'-uh-bee _ former Montana Power Co. chairman/CEO
Blouke, Peter _ BLOWK _ former state commerce director
Bonderud, Larry _ BAHN'-duh-rood _ Shelby mayor
Buyske, Marc _ BY'-skee _ district judge
Buzas, Joe _ BYOO'-zuhs _ Salt Lake Buzz owner
Cahill, Tim _ KAY'-hill _ Livingston author
Carse, Craig _ KARSS _ men's basketball coach at MSU-Billings
Chappuis, John CHAYP'-ee-us deputy state health dept director
Chiesa, Bill _ kee-AH'-zah _ deceased; was manager of MetraPark in Billings
Chiotti, Rick _ kee-AH'-tee _ OPI official
Cleirbaut, Gilbert _ CLARE'-boh _ former president, CUT
Colbo, Keith _ KOHL'-boh _ lobbyist, former commerce director
Colberg, Maurice Jr. _ MOR'-iss KOHL-berg _ retired district judge
Coughenour, John C. _ COON'-our _ federal judge in Freemen case
Crichton, Scott _ KRY'-tuhn _ ACLU official
Cybulski, David _ sih-BUL'-skee _ district judge
Daschle, Tom _ DASH'-ul _ U.S. senator from South Dakota
DeBartolo, Edward Jr. _ deh-BART'-uh-loh _ former owner of San Fran 49ers
DePratu, Bob _ duh-PRAH'-toh _ Whitefish auto dealer
DePuy, Tara _ duh-PYOO' _ Park County attorney 
Deschamps, Robert III _ DAY'-shaw _ former Missoula County attorney
Dussault, Ann Mary _ DOO'-soh _ former Missoula County commissioner)
Ebzery, Thomas _ EBB'-zuh-ree _ attorney and lobbyist
Ekanger, Laurie _ ECK'-uhn-jer _ former state labor commissioner
Ekey, Bob _ EEK'-ee _ spokesman, Wilderness Society
Epstein, Larry _ EPP'-styne _ Glacier County attorney
Esch, Tom _ ESH _ Flathead County attorney
Feland, Gary _ FEE'-land _ former PSC chairman
Freudenthal, Dave -- FREE'-den-thahl -- Wyoming governor
Freund, Dan _ FRIND _ Montana High School Association
Gamradt, Dean _ GAMM'-rahd _ Dutton-Brady basketball coach
Geringer, Jim _ GAIR'-in-gur _ former Wyoming governor
Giacometto, Leo _ jock-uh-METT'-oh _ former U.S. marshal
Gliko, Reece _ GLEE'-koh _ coach; former MSU-Billings basketball player
Grob, Mike _ GRAHB _ pro golfer, Billings native  
Groepper, Gregg _ GREPP'-er _ exec. dir. Montana Energy Share
Gryczan, Linda _ GRY'-sun _ gay activist
Harbaugh, Tony _ HAR'-baw _ Custer County sheriff
Henen, Don _ HEE'-nan _ Cascade County surveyor
Honzel, Thomas _ HAHN'-zul _ district judge
Kakuk, Michael _ KAY'-kuk _ Helena lawyer
Kaleczyc, Stan _ KAL'-uh-zeck _ Helena lawyer and lobbyist
Karle, Marsha _ KAR'-lee _ Yellowstone Natl Park spokeswoman
Kemmis, Dan _ KIM'-iss _ Missoula mayor
Kiedrowski, Heather -- kid-RAU'-skee _ assistant to lt. gov.
Kitzhaber, John _ KITS'-hah-ber _ former Oregon governor
Kleinjan, Arthur _ KLYN'-jun _ Blaine County commissioner
Knievel, Evel _ kuh-NEE'-vul _ motorcycle daredevil, Butte native
Kolstad, Allen _ KOHL'-stad _ former lieut. gov.
Krystkowiak, Larry _ kriss-KOH'-vee-ack _ retired NBA player
LaChere, Gerald _ luh-SHAIR' _ Montana Lottery director
L'Huereux, Steve _ luh-ROO' _ Great Falls architect
Llewellyn, Richard _ luh-WELL'-in _ former Jefferson County attorney
Loble, C. Bruce _ LOH'-bul _ water court judge
Lollis, Quadre _ KWAH'-dray _ MSU men's basketball player
Lovell, Charles _ LUV'-ul _ retired U.S. district judge
Lubick, Sonny _ LOO'-bick _ retired coach
Lucero, Larry _ loo-SAIR'-oh _ Great Falls H.S. basketball coach
Lufkin, Maquel _ muh-KELL' _ UM rodeo competitor
Lympus, Ted _ LIMP'-us - district judge
Magera, Coleen _ koh-LEEN' muh-GAIR'-uh _ Custer Cnty atty 
Marlenee, Ron _ MAR'-luh-nay _ former congressman
Masonovich, John _ muh-SAWN'-uh-vitch _ Belt H.S. football coach
Matteucci, Sherry _ muh-TOO'-see _ former U.S. attorney
Macek, Julie _ MAY'-sek Cascade County district judge
Mazurek, Joe _ muh-ZUR'-ick _ former attorney general
McCulloch, Linda _ muh-KULL'-uh _ state supt. of public instruction
Michelotti, Barry _ mitch-uh-LOTT'-ee _ former Cascade County sheriff
Michunovich, Mike _ mih-KYOON'-uh-vitch _ Laurel school official
Milone, Anthony _ mih-LOH'-nee _ Roman Catholic bishop of Great Falls
Myllymaki, Rachael _MILL'-uh-mack-ee _ rodeo competitor
Mizner, Ted _ MYZ'-ner _ district judge
Mrkich, Dale _ MUR'-kitch _ deputy Yellowstone Cnty. atty
Natelson, Rob _ NAYT'-ul-sun _ UM law professor, govt. critic
Ohs, Karl _ OHSS lieutenant governor
Pacelle, Wayne _ puh-SELL'-ee _ Fund for Animals spokesman
Pavan, Judy _ puh-VAHN' _ professional golfer
Paxinos, Dennis _ packs-EE'-nohs _ Yellowstone County atty.
Petesch, Greg _ PETT'-ish _ chief atty., Legislative Council
Petrino, Bob _ puh-TREEN'-oh _ former Carroll Coll. football coach
Pohle, John _ POH'-lee _ Powell County coroner
Polzin, Paul _ POHL'-zin _ Univ. of Montana economist
Posewitz, Jim _ PAH'-zuh-wits _ outdoor writer and speaker
Pottenger, Jay _ PAH'-ten-jer _ adm. Benton Medical Center
Preite, Anthony _ PREE'-tee _ USDA Rural Development state director
Racicot, Marc _ RAHSS'-koh _ former Montana governor
Racine, Gary _ ruh-SEEN' _ Glacier County sheriff
Rajala, Bob _ rye-AL'-uh _ Missoula fire marshal
Raph, Merle _ RAFF _ Toole County attorney
Rapkoch, Dan_ RAPP'-kuk _ spokesman Continental Energy Services
Regnier, Jim _ regg-NEER' _ state Supreme Court justice
Rehberg, Dennis _ REE'-burg _ Montana at-large congressman
Riveland, Steve _ REEV'-lund _ Wheatland County sheriff
Rodeghiero, Roy _ roh-duh-GAIR'-oh _ district judge
Roeder, Richard _ RAY'-der _ Montana historian, deceased
Roehm, Richard _ ROHM _ member of state Board of Regents from Bozeman
Salvagni, Michael _ sal-VAH'-nee _ Gallatin County district judge
Sauvageau, Mike _ SAVV'-uh-joh _ coach at Three Forks
Schmechel, Paul _ SHMEK'-ul _ former Montana Power chairman
Seagal, Steven _ sih-GAWL' _ actor, has a ranch south of Ennis
Servheen, Chris _ sur-VEEN' _ USFWS grizzly bear expert
Seykora, Jim _ suh-KOR'-uh _ deputy U.S. attorney
Simonich, Mark _ SIMM'-uh-nitch _ state commerce director
Spoja, Chris _ SPOY'-yah _ former UM men's basketball player
Stierle, Don and Andrea _ STEER'-lee _ Montana Tech researchers
Stueck, Don _ STOO'-ick _ former mayor of Bozeman
Strizich, Bill _ STRIZZ'-itch _ U.S. marshal
Suenram, Bruce _ SINN'-rum _ state fire marshal
Tietz, William _ TEETS _ former Montana State U. president
Trieweiler, Terry _ TREE'-wy-lur _ Supreme Court justice
Van Valkenberg, Fred _ van-VAWLK'-en-burg _ Missoula county atty
Vaughey, Linda _ VOY _ political practices commissioner
Venne, Carl _ VENN _ Crow tribal chairman  
Woodgerd, David _ WOOD'-jerd _ atty., state Revenue Dept.
Yannone, Vince _ YANN'-un _ wildlife speaker, writer

Balyeat, Joe _  BAL'-ee-ut state rep R-Bozeman
Bardanouve, Francis _  BAR'-duh-noh deceased
Bohlinger, John _ BOH'-lin-jer
Bookout-Reinicke, Sylvia _ RY'-nuh-kee
Branae, Gary _ BRAY'-nee
Brueggeman, John _ BROO'-guh-mun
Christiaens, Chris _ KRISS'-chenz
Cocchiarella, Vicki _ kotch-uh-RELL'-uh
Cohenour, Jill _ KOH'-en-our
Curtiss, Aubyn _ AW'-bin CUR'-tis
Cyr, Larry _ SEER
DeBruycker, Roger _  duh-BRUCK'-er
Devaney, Charles _ duh-VANN'-ee
Dolezal, Edward _ DOH'-luh-zahl
Fuchs, Daniel _ FYOOKS
Grinde, Larry _ GRIN'-dee
Grosfield, Lorents _ LOHR'-ents GROHS'-feeld
Gutsche, Gail _ GOO'-chee
Hertel, John _ HURT'-el
Kadas, Mike _ KAY'-dus
Kottel, Deb _ koh-TELL'
Laible, Rick _ LY'-bull
Laszloffy, Jeff _ LAZZ'-loff-ee
Lehman, Larry _ LAY'-man
Maedje, Rick _ MAY'-jee
Menahan, William `Red' _ MEEN'-uh-han
Noennig, Mark _ NOH'-nig
Quilici, Joe _ KWILL'-uh-see
Raser, Holly RAY'-zer
Rehbein, William Jr. _ RAY'-byn
Roush, Glenn _ ROWSH
Sinrud, John SIN'-rood
Sliter, Paul _ SLY'-ter deceased
Steinbeisser, Donald _ STYN'-by-sur
Stovall, Jay _ STOH'-vawl
Svrcek, Paul _ SVOR'-check
Swysgood, Chuck _ SWIZ'-good
Toews, Daryl _ TAYVS
Towe, Thomas _ TAU _ rhymes with plow
Tropila, Joe _ troh-PEEL'-uh
Waitschies, Karl _ WAY'-cheez
Wanzenried, David _  WAHN'-zen-reed
Waterman, Mignon _ min-YOHN'
Zook, Tom _ Rhymes With "Cook"

Absaroka-Beartooh Wilderness _ ab-SOHR'-kuh
Absarokee _ ab-SOHR'-kee
Adell _  AY'-dell
Agawam _ AG'-ah-wahm
Alberton _  AL'-ber-tun
Albion _ AL'-bee-un
Alder _ AWL'-der
Alhambra _ al-HAM'-bra
Alzada _  al-ZAY'-duh
Andes _ AN'-deez
Augusta _ uh-GUS'-tuh
Ballantine _ BAL'-un-tyne
Bannack _ BAN'-uk
Belfry _ BEL'-free
Belknap _ BEL'-nap
Belle Fourche, S.D. _ bel-FOOSH'
Benzien _ ben-ZEEN'
Boise, Idaho _ BOY'-see not BOY'-zee
Bowdoin _ buh-DOYN' _ National Wildlife Refuge.
Brusett _ broo-SET'
Butte _ bewt
Camas _ KAM'-us
Charlo _ SHAR'-loh
Chinook _ shih-NUK'
Choteau _ SHOH'-toh
Chouteau _ SHOH'-toh
Christina _ kris-TEE'-nah
Clasoil _  KLAY'-soil
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho _ kor-duh-LAYN'
Cohagen _  koh-HAY'-gun
Colstrip _ KOHL'-strip
Comertown _ KOHM'-er-town
Coram _ KOHR'-um
Corinth _ KOHR'-inth
Corvallis _  kohr-VAL'-iss
Deborgia _ deh-BOHR'-zhah
Delphia _ DEL'-fee-ah
Del Bonita _ del-buh-NEE'-tah
Devon _  de-VAHN'
Dupuyer _ duh-POO'-yer
Ekalaka _ EE'-kah-LACK'-ah
Evaro _ EV'-uh-roh
Fallon _ FAL'-un
Fife _ fyf
Forsyth _ FOHR'-syth
Fortine _ FOHR'-tyn
Frazer _ FRAY'-zer
Galata _ gah-LAT'-ah
Galen _ GAY'-lin
Gallatin _ GAL'-uh-tin
Gardiner _ GARD'-ner
Garneill _ gar-NEEL'
Garryowen _ gair-ee-OH'-in
Genou _ JIN'-oh
Geraldine _ JER'-ul-deen
Glacier _ GLAY'-shur
Glasgow _ GLAS'-goh
Glengarry _ glen-GAIR'-ee
Glentana _ glin-TAN'-ah
Greenough _ GREEN'-oh
Haugan _ HAW'-ghin
Havre _ HAV'-er
Hedgesville _ HED'-jes-vil
Helena _ HEL'-in-uh
Hingham _ HING'-um
Hogeland _ HOHG'-lun
Huson _ HYOO'-sun
Hyalite Canyon _ HY'-lyt
Hysham _ HY'-shum
Inverness _ IN'-ver-nes
Ismay _ IS'-mee
Jardine _ jar-DEEN'
Joliet _ jah-lee-ETT'
Joplin _ JOP'-lin
Kevin _ KEE'-vin
Kila _ KY'-lah
Kolin _ KOL'-in
Kootenai _ KOOT'-nee
Kyrgyzstan _ keer-gih-STAHN former•Sov•republic
Lake Koocanusa _ koo-kuh-NOO'-suh
Laurin _ luh-RAY'
Lavina _ lah-VY'-nuh
Lennep _ LEN'-nep
Lima _ LY'-muh
Lindsay _ LIN'-say
Lothair _ loh-THAIR'
Lozeau _ LOH'-zoh
Lustre _ LUST'-er
Makoshika State Park _ muh-KOH'-shih-kuh
Maudlow _ MAWD'-loh
McElroy _ MACK'-ul-roy
McLeod _ mack-LOWD'
Meagher _ marr
Merino _ muh-REEN'-oh
Micaha _ mih-KAY'-hah
Missoula _ mih-ZOO'-luh
Moiese _ moh-EEZ'
Monida _ muh-NY'-dah
Montague _ MAHN'-tah-gyoo
Moran Creek _ moh-RAN'
Moscow, Idaho _ MAHSS'-koh
Neihart _ NY'-hart
Nibbe _ NIB'-bee
Niarada _ ny-RAD'-ah
Olney _ AWL'-nee
Opheim _ OH'-pyme
Oswego _ ahz-WEE'-goh
Ovando _ oh-VAN'-doh
Pattee Canyon _ PAT'-ee
Pend Oreille, Idaho _ pahn-duh-RAY'
Pendroy _ PIN'-droy
Piegan _ PEE'-gun
Piniele _ py-NEEL'
Polson _ POHL'-sun
Pondera _ pahn-duh-RAY'
Quietus _ kwy-EET'-us
Rapelje _ RAP'-ul-jay
Ravalli _ rah-VAL'-ee
Regina _ ruh-JY'-nah
Reichle _ RY'-klee
Rimini _ RIM'-uh-ny
Rivulet _ RIV'-yoo-let
Ronan _ roh-NAN'
Rothiemay _ rawth-ee-MAY'
Saco _ SAY'-koh
Salish & Kootenai Tribes _ SAY'-lish and KOOT'-nee
Saltese _ sahl-TEEZ'
Savenac _ SAV'-en-ack
Shoshone _ shoh-SHOH'-nee
Silesia _ sih-LEESH'-uh
Mount Siyeh _ sy-EE' in Glacier Natl Park
Sonnette _ sohn-ETT'
St. Ignatius _ saint ig-NAY'-shus
St. Regis  _ saint REE'-jus
St. Xavier _ saint ex-ZAYV'-yer
Sula _ SOO'-lah
Sumatra - suh-MAH'-truh
Tampico _ tam-PEE'-koh
Targhee Natl. Forest, Wyo. _ TARG'-ee
Tarkio _ TAR'-kee-oh
Teedee _ TEE'-dee
Teigen _ TAY'-gun
Teton _ TEE'-tahn
Theony _ TOH'-nee
Toston _ TAHS'-tun
Trego _ TREE'-goh
Twodot _ TOO'-daht
Ural _ YOOR'-ahl
Utica _ YOOT'-ick-uh
Valier _ vah-LEER'
Vanada _ vah-NAY'-dah
Vandalia _ van-DAYL'-yah
Vida _ VY'-dah
Virgelle _ ver-JIL'
Washoe _ WASH'-oh
Wibaux _ WEE'-boh
Willamette Valley, Oregon _ wil-LAMM'-it
Wilsall _ WIL'-sahl
Winnett _ WIN'-it
Worden _ WOHR'-din
Yaak _ yak
Zurich  _ ZUR'-rich

ASARCO Am. Smelting & Refining Co. _ uh-SAR'-koh
Ascochyta ask-koh-KY'-tuh _ a plant blight
Assiniboine _ uh-SINN'-uh-boyn
brucellosis _ broo-suh-LOH'-sis _ animal disease
Carisch Theaters _ KAHR’-ish
Cenex Refinery _ SEN’-ex
Gros Ventre _ groh-VAWNT' _ Indian tribe
Iditarod _ eye-DITT'-uh-rahd _ sled-dog race in Alaska
kokanee salmon _ KOH'-kuh-nee
radon gas _ RAY'-dahn
Rhone-Poulenc _ rohn puh-LENK' _ chemical mfgr.
Salish and Kootenai tribe _ SAY'-lish and KOOT'-nee
St. Labre School _ saint lah-BRAY'
Verticillium wilt _ ver-tih-SIL’-ee-um
Weber State University _ WEEB'-er _ in Utah

a   --  apple, bat
ah  --  father, hot
aw  --  law, long
ay  --  ace, fate
e   --  bed
ehr --  merry
ee  --  see, tea
i   --  pin, middle
oh  --  go, oval
oo  --  food, two
ow  --  cow
oy  --  boy
u   --  foot, put
uh  --  puff
ur  --  burden, curl
y, eye -- ice, time

g   --  got, beg
j   --  gem, job
k   --  cap, keep
ch  --  chair
s   --  see
sh  --  shut
y   --  yes
z   --  zoom
zh  --  mirage
kh  --  guttural "k"