the poor folks of Dominica are being constantly confused with Dominicans....down island where quantities of both live on the same island whichever it may be are always apologizing for each other

Just what we needed to change the name of the country to Quisqueya. To prevent ambiguity, and to promote tourism, change the name. Think of this; if someone told you about a tropical paradise for a vaction destination; Which would "ring your bell" Quisqueya, or Dominican Republic? I say we vote on changing that name. Who wants their country to be named after a "Catholic Order"? Remember the slaughter of the native Taino people, it was under the Dominican Order's divine watch, they allowed it with their Christianization. Then they mistreated the African slaves, while claiming to represent God. So, it's fantastic to see Dominica, the guys with the parrot on its flag, visit the D.R. Now, let's change the name. No need to hold on to that vestige. Let Dominica have it. After all they're Dominicans.

I agree. The name Dominican Republic sucks! It should be called Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo. Because dominican is an adjective, based on a religious group. It is like saying, Catholic Republic, or, Anglican Republic, or even better, Franciscan Republic. However, the actual name of the country lacks. For example, there is the Islamic Republic of Iran. The people are Iranians.
But we are only: the Dominican Republic. So our own name lacks. It could well be Dominican Republic of Quisqueya, but Quisqueya is quite hard to pronounce in other languages.

If you would ask me, one of the changes which this new constitution should have is this, a name change for the country. It should be called Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo (oficially). And unoficially the tourism name should be Santo Domingo. And the capital: Ciudad de Santo Domingo/Santo Domingo City. All dominicanos ausentes already use the name Santo Domingo for the whole country, even when they are actually from Santiago

that is correct ...everyone has heard of Santo Domingo ....when you say Dominican Republic they go ???????????

yea but santo domingo is only one city. It's incorrect to refer to the country as a whole as simply "Santo Domingo"

Cibaeno75, the name Santo Domingo de Guzman is the name of the entire island (including the republic of Haiti). In the past, the capital was called Ciudad Trujillo, during the era of his reign. But the island´s name is Santo Domingo de Guzman, so our country could well be called Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo. The Capital could be called Santo Domingo City, like with Panama and Panama City.

But everyone says Santo Domingo even if you are not from there. I'm sure your family probably says the same thing Ciby. No te apures tu siempre vas hacer cibaeno de Baitoa. Remember the island was once called Santo Domingo. I think the Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo sounds better since it would refer to a historical name.

That's the truth, buenoha. Our case is almost the same one as Puerto Rico, in which their capital city was named Puerto Rico while the entire island was named San Juan Bautista. It would not be until the XVIII century when the Spaniards decided to make the name switch.

On our case, the name Santo Domingo would be adopted for the entire island after the french named their colony as "Saint Domingue Francais", which would then force the spanish to rename their colony as "Santo Domingo Español" in order to distinguish it from the french colony with the rest of the world. Although it wouldn't matter in the end, since the british and the rest of the anglo world like to refer to the entire island as "San Domingo" or "Hispaniola", in the case of the US.

Interesting. How would you call the inhabitants of "Santo Domingo" in English? Domingans or Santo Domingans? Sounds bizarre don't you think. In Spanish I assume it would be Domingano or something of that nature. Also the Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo is quite long. Well the country is often called Santo Domingo anyway. In Haiti the DR is almost always referred to as Santo Domingo (Sendomeng in creole)...

I find that to be odd, Shin, considering the fact that the name Sendomeng (or Saint Domingue) is always bound to bring up bad memories to the haitians, from the times of slavery and all that, or at least that's what every haitian student that I have talked with at college have told me.

Maybe because of the historical association with that name I have no idea but only in formal situations (business..school, government) is the DR ever called "Republique Dominicaine" (Repiblik Dominiken in creole). In daily conversation Sendomeng usually means DR.

I disagree with santo domingop de guzman being the name for the entire island. It's not historically accurate. That was the name given to one city. The spanish called our island La Española and later Hispaniola. It's just incorrect to call the entire nation "Santo Domingo".

Although, after the french colony on the western end became a legal reality the spanish would call their portion of the island "santo domingo" but I've never heard of the entire colony being reffered to as Santo Domingo de Guzman.

You're right cibaeno. What is Haiti was Saint Domingue and what is DR was Santo Domingo. The capital city had 'de Guzman' at the end of its name.

LEAVE IT AS IT IS PEOPLE.... Lets concentrate our energies into improving other areas of our country

I would refer to natives from the Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo as Dominicans. Just like it is now. It is no major change.... As for it being too long, I don´t think so. What about Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia? Or People´s Republic of China? These are only official names. The shorter versions are: Macedonia, China etc... The same would go for Santo Domingo, as the shorter version of the DR of Sto. Dgo. It is just a much more exotic and marketable name. The brand Dominican Republic is just not so strong, compared to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico... Understand? It just does not sound as nice and as a name of a country is incorrect because it lacks authenticity, something own... Republic, most countries are republics. And the adjective referring to the religious group of dominicans(the catholic order) is not a proper name for a country either. For as far as I know the group that belongs to that catholic order is negligible in the DR as well.

I sort of get your point buenoha.The Republic of Santo Domingo sounds more exotic than simply Dominican Republic however the latter is the official name and that's the way it's going to be. Besides I think that we're all used to its current name. Tourism has embedded the name Dominican Republic in the minds of many throughout the world so I don't think renaming wouldn't bring about anything that your country doesn't currently have. If a renaming were to take place then the capital; now referred to as Santo Domingo City, would fall in line into the plethora of other "Cities" in Latin America such as Mexico City, Panama City, Guatemala City, and the likes.

Maybe this was reiterated but both countries have the same Demonyms which makes no sense to me. Maybe the spanish word "Dominicano/a" should become a cognate (which is a word that is the same in english and spanish), like the word "actor". Only difference is that depending on what language one is speaking the accents would change. I don't know- just an idea I guess, maybe its impractical, but at least people wouldn't confuse the too. Wikipedia shows that the people from Dominica have the demonym (what they called themselves) "Dominicans" and obviously those from the DR, have the same name. I think it should be changed somehow, it is confusing.

People from Dominica pronounce themselves Dominicans{ doughminicans } from Dominica {Doughminica }

I must say you people are amusing...

It is not amusing if you are from little and relatively crime free Dominica and you keep being thrown in with a group of people who number well over 12 million internationally

To give you an idea of how many that is .....Their is probably not 12 million Jews in the whole world...look it up

Dominican Republic = Sunday Republic
Santo Domingo = Holy Sunday

It fits perfectly.

Danny VC>
That's what I'm talking about! The Country was named Republica Dominicana in 1844, by the Founding Fathers. The Capital had been named Santo Domingo, in honor of Domingo de Guzman a Spanish Catholic priest who through his efforts martyred Anabaptists, and Cathars during the 12 & 13 centuries. He was canonized as Catholic Saint. Well, after much detiriorating, exploration to Mexico, and South America, the Spanish lost interest in Hispaniola. Soon the island was known as Santo Domingo, later Sainte Domingue (note: in French it should have been St. Dominique, not Domingue). The point I'm trying to make is that Domingo or Dominicana are really arbitrary names. I personally love Quisqueya; Quisqueyana, Quisqueyano, or in eng. Quisqueyan. Here, in Florida there's this town called Kissimmee, it has a pleasant ring to it. I find the same holds true to our Arahuac Taino name, Quisqueya....La Bella! If you like: Kiss-Ke-ya! But, not Holy Sunday? Not, Sunday-ans. Domi-no!

Maybe if it is written differently then, but not the Castellan way Quisqueya. That is fugly. Kiskeya looks better and is more exotic. Its like Hawaii.

You have to weigh the value of changing the name versus the aggravation of printing new money and gov. documents etc and a period of disruption .Also to many people the marketing value of the new name is a mistake ....Like renaming Borneo to whatever they call it now....that was a mistake....Personally I like Quisqueya or Kiskeya...It would instantly put us on the map in everyones mind and would be a marketing bonanza...Can you imagine a country with a kiss in it

you wait and see the other guy is going to change his name first...Dominica to whatever....the people from there are tiring of being asked if they can Merengue make Mangu and if they know El big Papi

It's not a fantastic feat. Look at Zimbawe: It was called Rhodesia when I was in school;
Myanmar: Was previously called Laos. Kampuchea, was called Cambodia, until recently.
Beijing has only been called so for a few years; It was called Peking, before that. Sri Lanka:
Ceylon; Banglasesh: East Pakistan; Pakistan: East Pakistan; Before that both were part of British India.
Belize was British Honduras; Suriname, was called Dutch Guyana. Guyana was previously known as British Guyana. The British called our common sea and its islands, the West Indies; now they have agreed with the rest of the world in calling it the Caribbean. So, no disrespect to those that are fond of the Dominican nomenclature. But, Quisqueya es mas bella! It brings back memories of a far gone era; When the natives fished and hunted, living in harmony with nature.
Quisqueya. So, to the delegation from Dominica; I'd greet with: Welcome to Quisqueya, the Big island with the big heart: Dominicans.

thats Doughminicans......and none of those places you mentioned has the same situation as the DR where Tourism was #1 economic factor....If no one was going to Rhodesia can you imagine what kind of tourist would go to Zimbabwe except for the Falls and well armed....also they should have stuck with British Honduras or at least Honduras.....What is a Belize or a Suriname or a Myanmar ?....who cares,nobody unless you live there

Goulet:
That shows how oblivious you are to things of other parts of the world, aye!
I'm from there. My name's Arsenio, not Ontario.

Arse from where ?

The DR..... yeah far from there.......I live there now ...How do you like them apples arse hole

Where is Borneo ?.....Kampuchea..I dont think so ...go back to class arse hole

Goulet:
The DR..... yeah far from there.......I live there now ...How do you like them apples arse hole.
Too bad, there' no ORKIN in D.R. so they can get rid of such pests, as you.
And if vous parlez Francais-Quebecois: Tabernacle!
How did they ever allow such bottom feeders as you. You've been a Low life from birth. Canuk Ghetto Trash. Niagara Falls is waiting for you! Low budget wanna be anything but what you are. A reject brit fish and chips pole cat.

Hey arsenio I am not from Poutinville but I appreciate your knowledge on the subject...and yes I still put malt vinegar on my fish and chips...I was born and raised not far from Niagara in Toronto ...But like you I slithered across the border and became an American Citizen although it was probably your parents who did the slithering ....I hope you appreciate what a great country you live in ...I was just pulling your leg I hope you have no hard feelings I truly love the DR and its people

I lived on an island with many Dominicans and many Doughmeeneecans it was very amusing sorting it out when a crime was committed by either one

GouletColon: You're a dispicable, contemptible character that is constanly foaming from his mug deadly venom. Slithering? I didn't slither, neither did my parents. You had to drag them down to your cesspool, too. I wonder what type of parents would produce a little braggart, know it all, smart alec, like u? You're like the resident "Genius"; You're the last word on every subject, article, thread, etc. I haven't see your countenance, yet, you make me sick. Stop fronting. You paper-back world traveller. Everyone ain't northern carpetbagger acadian rubbish like u! Some of us migrated to the U.S. because our parents were professional working people. Not Canadian trailer park, riff raff , hicks, like u. What are you a loquacious megalomaniac with delusions of Dominican-ness? You need a check-up, from the neck-up, partner. Who cares if you live in the DR? You're just a "vic", waiting to be taken, no matter where you go. Wher you live: I don't give a hoot, you old coot!

In Florida, they have Snow birds gravitating from the great white north; In your case they now have Snow Snakes in the tropics! Beware of the fangs, and the venom that emanates from these creatures. --------Busting my chops since day one. What is this world coming to? You can't even mix it up with your kin folk without some interloper enigmatic shadowy nordic element putting in their six pence!. Are the RCMP part of this forum now? Dudley Dooright, get back!--- to where you once belonged, with your high heeled sneakers and your low neck sweater, get back home Loretta.

Well arsenio you certainly became annoyed over my geography lesson sorry about that....also the part about your parents my apologies I was using the word slithering as a metaphor for immigration ...I suppose you thought I meant something different...Oblivious to the rest of the world ? I think not ...I have lived and worked in many parts of it....How you would call me a braggart I do not understand as I have not brought any mention of my accomplishments to this forum....Your reaction however says volumes about you...I may be despicable but what is dispicable ? again I am sorry for not recognizing that your background is so upmarket...who would have the thought the son of an oligarch...not just someone from El Alto

and now we see you have a complex about Cubans and Boricuas why ? because they came long before the Dominicans and they did all the heavy lifting for your parents the oligarchs correct arsenio JR. because they put their spin on NYC 50 years before your mommy and daddy arrived with the rest of the QUISQUEYANS correct

Colon: Fish and Chips with malt vinegar eating arthropod; As I stated before you are one disgusting contemptible character. What are you doing haging around weighing people's word's? Get a job, ya' bum! My parent's achievements are none of your business. Nosybody! Where do they get these grown-up, arrested development types? Talking about parents? Are you and adult or a maggot? Spineless twit. You paper-back crank tourist go to P.R. and tell them you're from canada, like ducks, cannards, mallards...They like ducks there. Say: "yo soy un pato"! They'll love to death. What are you taking notes from the threads, so you can write a book? Get a life! Go for a walk on lake Erie, walk on the pier, then leap. Stop wanting to be American, Dominican, or the flavor of the week. You're on a world tour: Looking for your true identity. Phony, crispy-critter. Shush!

GOTCHA ! nailed ya ....social climbing nobody that you are

arse enio...I lived on La Isla Del Encanto for 4 years.... The only part youve ever seen is the airport you jerk....So now you live in Florida and probably work for Cubans...I can understand why you have a complex

Paraplegic Canadien: Do the planet a favor to solve global warming: Zip it. Put a sock in it. You're full of hot air. Stop with the pedantic pontifications you virtual hobo. Get a grip. I heard the north pole isn't freezing in the winter. It' probably because you can't shut up, and your warming up the statosphere with you fumings. Ta gueule! Imbecile.

Just get home from work at the Block Buster junior