Briant Smith (Forum May 18) seems to think that there is only one proper way to refer to "a person from Utah," and that any alternative spelling must be the work of a careless proofreader. Actually, both "Utahan" and "Utahn" are correct, and both are widely used (the former seems to be preferred by the national media, whereas the latter term is preferred by local newspapers as well as most Utah residents). A native "Utahn," I have always spelled it thus, but I certainly don't begrudge anyone who wants to spell it with an extra "a." After all, the meaning is perfectly clear in either case.
A quick check of the Infoplease.com Web site reveals that there are at least 10 other states with similar variations in spelling, such as Tennesseean vs. Tennessean, Coloradoan vs. Coloradan, and Arizonan vs. Arizonian. Certainly, Mr. Smith doesn't expect everyone else to adhere to the exact same spellings in every case. After all, the spelling of names and proper nouns has long been an inexact science.
Jeff Richards
Moab