Sure, it's fine if it happens once or twice. It's not a big deal. But when it happens over and over and over again, it is frustrating, and frankly, tiresome. You wonder why people can't just roll their tongue the same way or put in the effort to say it right. After all, we can't all be called Jack or John or Sam.
If you have a name that everyone manages to butcher, I'm with you. I feel your pain, and I wish you all the best. If you can't relate, you should probably consider yourself fortunate in some regards.
1. You might have a nickname so that no one has to even try pronouncing your name.
GiphyI can't relate to this one, but I've seen it happen so many times. I mean, nicknames are cool! But they feel less so when you remember that the reason you have it is because your friends might not feel like blurting out the whole thing.
2. You hear the question— "But how do your parents pronounce your name?"
GiphyTrust me, no matter how many times I tell you how my parents correctly call me by my name, I already know you won't be able to say it right. I've instructed so many people on how to roll the r in my name, yet they still fail to replicate it.
3. You dread hearing professors and teachers call out your name because you know they'll struggle.
GiphyThey'll consider several different options on how to pronounce it, and somehow, none of them will be right… It doesn't matter if you correct them because they'll definitely forget by the next class.
4. You don't bother correcting people.
GiphyIt takes too long and becomes too repetitive. What's the point?
5. You purposely mispronounce your name to make it easier for everyone around you—and so that you don't have to hear them ruin it with their attempts.
GiphyI'm definitely guilty of this one. My name is Carolina. Hi. I purposely introduce myself (while I'm in America) as Carolina, pronounced like the state. Technically, it's… not. And my name isn't pronounced like care-o-lee-na either. It's traditionally meant to be pronounced like cahr-o-lee-na with more of a rolling r. I don't let anyone except my family (or anyone who actually speaks Portuguese or Spanish well) say it that way because it never sounds right, and honestly, it makes me feel worse when it comes out wrong. I prefer to use both pronunciations, but I totally understand why some people are against that.
If one of your friends has an unusual name, don't just say "whoa" and not even try to say it. Instead, listen—and put in your best effort! If people always mispronounce your name, I'm sorry, and I hope that you related to some part of this and that it made you crack a smile.
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