Surely the Catalans wouldn't call the islands the Balearics in their language, so why are folk saying what the non-English pronunciation is? I say balee ariks....
Corby, I have consulted three English/Spanish dictionaries, and one gives "Balearicas" while the other two give "Baleares"! I guess you pays your money and you takes your choice - though "Baleares" seems to have the vote at the moment! At lease we agree on the Catalan.........:-)