As you know, Stevland is a character in the novel Semiosis, specifically a bamboo tree. The bamboo was named after a colonist who died on the way to the planet Pax, and that colonist was named after the musician and singer known as Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder’s real name is Stevland Hardaway Morris. But how do you pronounce “Stevland”?
Now we know for sure. In this clip from a television special in about 1970, Diana Ross introduces him with a breathy “Hello, Stevland.” She says “STEEV-land.”
You can see the greeting in the opening minute at https://youtu.be/mxs2nRekH2w. But listen to the whole thing as Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross sing “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.” Stevland (the namesake on Pax) loves music, too.
Semiosis 