- When beginning as an interpreter many years ago , I was reminded that “Ivory Coast” was a name to be avoided as the authorities of that state insisted on it always being called by the French name Côte d’Ivoire.
2.Côte d’Ivoire is now a rather strange name since the ivory trade is prohibited.
3. A few months ago I learned that Côte d’Ivoire is the largest producer of cocoa in the world. According to wikipedia, it accounted for 45% of production in 2024.
CONCLUSION : I think the country should be renamed the Cocoa Coast, especially since the official French name would be Côte de Cacao which to my ears sounds particularly beautiful.
As always spot-on! Thanks Phillip
Sounds good.
Fascinating facts and charming Hillian conclusion.
un nome da leccarsi i baffi, caro Phillip! E sarebbe anche un modo di cancellare il ricordo dell’avorio che tante sventure ha causato all’Africa (ho riletto da poco Heart of Darkness, sulla scorta di questo podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/horror-in-the-congo-the-nightmare-begins-part-1/id1537788786?i=1000686713021) Felice di leggerti di nuovo. Continua, please!
“Ebony and ivory, side by side on my piano keyboard….” per non parlare delle statue in avorio: l’uomo ha bisogno delle materie preziose, dell’eccelso, del raro. Perché togliere agli Ivoriani tale esigenza e rinominarli Cocoiani? E’ chiaro che gli elefanti vanno rispettati, ma anche i nomi acquisiti: che durano più dei misfatti compiuti.