Is it rude to correct someone because they pronounce your name with an accent?

Question

My name is Cynthia, and I have a couple friends from Spain who pronounce my name "Thintia" because in Spain, C's sound like "th," and they pronounce "th" like "t" because H's don't make sounds in Spanish.

All of these people who do this read my name before I was ever introduced to them in person, but they've heard me say my name before.

Is it rude if I correct them? It's not their fault, that's just how they would say something that was spelled like that. How do you correct someone on something like that?

I should also say that only one of the friends of mine who do this speaks English, and I usually talk to all of them in Spanish.

Answer 1

HI :-))

I think it is acceptable on first meeting to introduce yourself with your correct pronounced name...(as a BIG hint to how you say your name properly..most people will take that hint!!!) even if they already know your name...


I think if you make a fuss after giving the correct way to pronounce your name..and trying to correct them...It comes accross of rather rude, and a little hurtful..

This is because as I'm sure you know that different languages have different sound system..And some people will simply not me able to say your name properly no matter how much they try..!
I find certain sounds difficult to say and I remember that every time I meet a German person..they always try to spend half an hour with me try to get me to say certains sounds in the German language which I can't say! Eventully they give up and realise it is not about educating me..my mouth just won't say it! This get annoying after a while.I think your Spanish friends might feel the same way if you try to educate them on the correct pronounation of your name!!..
Even in Bosnian language which is my own I have problems saying certain words...but what I say to anybody is that communication is more important...

My name is Tabitha. And believe me..for many people from a variety of Non- English speaking countries this is a hard name to pronounce. In Bosnia I used to get called Rabitha (for some reason) which I did not like... So I change my name slightly to make it easier to pronounce..to Tabi (my nickname) or Tabita when with Non- English speakers... I rather enjoy having many names and choose the name I'm using that day on my current mood
I also work with learning disabilities and get many weird combinations of my name such as Tarta and Tafika...I actually think it is very cute..And like to have such an exotic name..


Personally I like to weird combitions that come up..and have as much pride in them as my own name :-)) I always like to think that it is because be cared they come up with such interesting variations...and it is how your friends feel about you that counts the most :-)))

Answer 2

The best way to handle that is to properly pronounce your name in sentences. For example, you could say "I met a friend in my fitness class, and her name is Cynthia, just like me. To my amazement, the instructor's name is Cynthia too. I wonder what the probability is that three people named Cynthia would all end up in a class of just 5 people."

If they still keep making the same mistake, then you could pretend to be calling someone on your cell phone when they're around. After a few seconds, pretend that you got the answering machine and say "Hi, this is Cynthia. I'll call you back later. Bye."

Sooner or later, they should probably correct their own mistake.

Answer 3

It is absolutely not rude to correct someone if they are pronouncing your name wrong. If you kindly let them know this is how your name is pronounced they should be understanding. If they speak a different language then politely say to them my name is pronounced Cynthia. After all it is your name and you want to be called your name correctly. Your not telling them as if they did something wrong you are informing them of the correct pronunciation of your name.
I had to add this after reading how everyone thinks it is rude to correct someone for pronouncing your name wrong. I am a bit surprised. Trust me it is not rude. It's all in how you approach it, if you are polite about it it's fine. It is not as if you are correcting their grammar this is your name there is a big difference.

Answer 4

My wife works with a man called, phonetically, "hore-hay"--Jorje. Now Hore-hay recently became a naturalized citizen. I asked if that means that now I can call him George. He didn't like it. After the good laugh we all got, we all still call him Hore-hay.

The old joke about a man flying to Hawaii for the first time. He asked the guy in the next seat, who had slept through the whole flight up until then, "Most people pronounce it "Huh-why-ee" but I've heard that some call it "Huh-Vie-ee", so do you know which it is?" The other man answered, "Huh-Vie-ee". The first man gratefully said, "Thank you" and the stranger responded, "You're "Vell-com"."

I wouldn't give anyone grief over the pronunciation unless it sounds vulgar.

Answer 5

Yeah I think it would be rude, because its something that is very hard for them to control/ change. In life you will come in contact with millions of people who can't pronounce your name and just say it completely wrong. Just let it slide. If it sounds like your name , and they are not calling you Sara or Becca then I wouldn't correct them, besides they are your friends.

Answer 6

If it bothers you, I don't necessarily think it's rude, but you should know that they might not be able to hear the difference between the way they say it and the way you say it. Many native speakers have had the experience of trying to correct a non-native speaker's accent with limited success.
A: It's "thing".
B: ting
A: No, "th". "Thing."
B: ting.
and so forth
Unless you are prepared to give an informal phonetics lesson, you might find yourself giving up. I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Pick your battles."

Answer 7

I would not correct it because you are not being hurt with someones accent and you always will remember that friend calling you that unique name. Other reason would be if your friend really can't pronounce that sound because of his/her tongue...as you know you hardly can't change some sounds in other languages. You always have the accent and if that's understandable for you then be happy to have one more friend.

Answer 8

Just try to enjoy having your name pronounced in an exotic way. It seems at least silly to correct them, if not rude.

Answer 9

No, I dont think so. I do it because when I went to France, people I was introduced to by my client didnt pronounce it right. My name is Lorelai, and they were saying Lorelay and it started to really bug me after a while.

Answer 10

I would not correct them because you know it's the language barrier causing it. It seems like such a small thing and they are pronouncing it correctly in their primary language. It would sound rather petty to me.