How Cubans pronounce ''Cuba''.

Don't Cubans pronounce ''cuba'' more like ''koo-vah'' [ku:va:] instead of ''kyoo-buh'' [kju:b..]?

In Spanish there is no phonetic difference between b/v, which are always pronounced as "b". That is one of the major spelling problems native speakers have to face since differences are due to etymological reasons. "Venir" (to come) is pronounced in Spanish as "Benir". The other Romance languages seem to have kept the difference but not Spanish and it is argued that this could be to the Basque influence since "v" doesn't exist in that ancient non Indo-European language and Spanish was born in contact with the same. Therefore, "Cuba" would be pronounced by all native Spanish speakers as [ku:ba:].

I think it's like the Japanese and their pronunciation of 'l' and 'r'. What the really say is something between the two, so to English speakers it always sounds wrong - l sounds like r and vice versa.

I reckon it's the same with Spanish speakers with b & v.