don't you think when people don't pronounce your name right is that height of ignorance?

Question

if your in doubt i think its better to ask the person how its said no matter what language its in ,others think it offends ..whats your opinion

Answer 1

When one has been introduced correctly from the beginning and is being spoken incorrectly or worse still (lol this is my whinge) forgotten yes it is, it does not give us validation. And we do not feel approved of. No its not a nice feeling at first until intent is established and quickly too, lol.

Empowerment comes in politely correcting them and looking them in the eye when one does so. This is visual acknowledgement of the error made.

This also gives them the opportunity to correct the error they have made, make apologies (especially if on stage in your best in front of thousands!!! just thought I might add that one in lol) and this may not be their intent at all and if it is a difficult name one needs to give them time to learn it. We also need to stay light hearted with introductions, but a little more confrontational when it is coming from someone who knows better.

However, we know when we are being intimidated by those whom do not validate us and choose to continue to be ignorant, becoming arrogant and in our face with it.

Regardless of how they affect us emotionally we are choosing to let them. In fact some people enjoy seeing our discomfort. We end up playing into this unconsciously.

The message is in the 'feeling', so when it happens know this is what we need to transcend in order for us not to be depleted by someone elses rudeness. We know our values and morals are above this behaviour. We can take our light elsewhere where we know we are deserved and validated.

Blessings be yours in light,
Harriett Potty

Answer 2

I do not. I telefundraised for many years, some peoples names are really difficult to pronouce, and they get frustrated with you because the c in there name more emphasis than another part. If I messed up their name I always apologized and wrote out the sounds so I wouldn't say it wrong. You also have to realize that some sounds are hard for people to pronnouce, i can say these really long indian names, but totally tripped over any itallian name with 2 Ls, a C, and 3 different vowels. We're not meaning to mess up your name or be ignorant, we are trying, we just didn't know we were doing it wrong.

Answer 3

As someone with mild hearing problems I dread people whose names that are unusual or of foreign origin. I find it very difficult to distinguish between certain letters when pronounced and you can only ask someone to repeat their name so many times, without sounding either stupid, or offensive. I have had bad experiences with people being offended, when I've asked them to spell the name. However, I have also had the terrible situation of not being able to say someones name, because I couldn't understand the sounds and been unable to introduce them, or include them in my conversation. Which is most rude? I'm not sure.

Answer 4

I do agree that it is better to ask the person the pronunciation if they are in doubt. However, even if they do try to say it or stumble over it I don't think it makes them ignorant. There are so many blended cultures it is difficult to know how to sound some things out. Both my maiden name and married name have both proved to confuse the world. I usually just introduce myself when I feel the name slaughter coming on and then ask them to call me by my first name.

Answer 5

I have a unusual name ,which is not easy to pronounce for some. strangely enough people make an effort to get it right ,whereas I know a Craig who often gets called Greg. (that may come ac cross as lazy and uninterested ,especially when being corrected and still continuing to do so.)

I don't think it is the height of ignorance to mispronounce, though one should make an effort to get it correct. By asking how to pronounce it , is not offensive to me, as I know people have difficulties with it ,and I would rather steer them correctly. what has p*ssed on my battery is when someone takes it upon themselves to tell me they are calling me ____ as my name is too difficult for them. I wouldn't mind if they asked me what they can call me instead, but to make the decision themselves is quite thoughtless.

Answer 6

I don't think it should offend, and it is not ignorance,
different languages pronounce different letters in different ways,
and the muscles of the mouth and the tongue get used to a special way of automatically pronouncing those letters, so why get offended?

Answer 7

I can see how this would be annoying, especially if people kept getting your name wrong all the time. However, you can't expect people to know how it is pronounced, as it will probably be a name they have never heard of. I suppose I would try and be as patient as possible, and politely reprononce the name for them.

Answer 8

no, but when i have to keep reminding them all the time how its ought to be pronounced and they get it wrong, time and time again then that i find annoying. the easiest way for people to pronounce my name is WHY- CHING, though it is spelt Waiching. although others in the past have pronounced it as WAY-CHING as well. for me, either of those pronounciations would do just fine.

what is ignorant however is when people deliberately take the piss out of your name and say something stupid. that demonstrates a total lack of ignorance, as well as intelligence on their part. of course you don't want to go up to them in person and shoot your mouth off and lose your temper afterwards, because they can't pronounce your name properly. that's just silly really and unneccessary. and yes, you're right- if someone is unsure as to how pronounce a person's name, its best to be direct and upfront, polite and to ask him/her for clarity and to just to clear up any misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Answer 9

No, I don't think that when people pronounce my name incorrectly, that they are ignorant. My last name is Roderick......most people pronounce it like ROD-RICK or RODER-ICK.....but you know, they all have it wrong it is RODE-RICK. Are they dumb, because they can not pronounce it right? No! They are just not educated on the correct pronounciation of it. Yet, once they are educated and they continue to pronounce it the same way as they first did, then I would call them ignorant.

Answer 10

Some names are almost unpronounceable. I once worked with a girl whose name I could not pronounce at all, it was something like Oiinida but pronounced something like Oyia-alindaah but no matter how I tried I could not get it 100% right, I don't think any of the staff could.