Part 2: Pronouncing Names... Kind of a Big Deal

The story about Ryan Seacrest was quite disturbing to me. That actress must have been embarrassed that he essentially invalidated her name in such a public, nonchalant manner. I appreciated the comparison to people being able to say Schwarzenegger. (I don't even like to spell people's names wrong, so I just checked that one before I wrote it.) A mispronunciation of a name is a microagression toward BIPOC members of the community, which I never really thought about before. I just knew that it was disrespectful. It is one thing to use a nickname or term of endearment with a close relative or friend, but it is rude to do so before you really know someone.

I think it is very important to pronounce student's name correctly and not shorten or change a name because it is easier for someone to pronounce.  A child's name is important to them and that should be respected.  There have been many times when people shorten my name.  It is especially frustrating when I correct them and they still choose to shorten it. The story from Hollywood was appalling.  It's important to take the extra time to learn how to pronounce a name correctly.  Steps to Grow-Sometimes I have had to write down a student's name using a pronunciation key.  It takes time, mistakes are made along with apologies to the student however I do end up getting it.  The student is always very appreciative. It lets them know that they are important to me.  My students work  to learn everyone's name in the beginning of the school year making sure names are pronounced the correct way.  It takes time to learn but eventually everyone knows everyone's name.  It lets the class know we are a team and we respect each other.

Saying children's name is a big deal, they feel ownership to their name and it is our responsibility as educators to pronounce them correctly.  In past years I have asked parents how to say their name, if I am not sure how to pronounce it, and I know several parents have said thank you for asking. 

1. I do recall instances where I've been substitute teaching and a student told me that the teacher or other students called them by a nickname or shortened version of their name. I would ask what they wanted me to call them, how to pronounce their name and tried hard to get it right. It happened only twice and both times, the student lit up. I was almost in tears because I could tell what it meant to the student that someone tried.
I think the Hollywood story is sad, dismissive and disrespectful. I think announcers like Seacrest should do the research to get the names right instead of shortening a name they can't pronounce it or its hard. That's when you do the research. If you can't ask her directly, as someone close to her. 

2.  In my own classes, I ask students how to pronounce their names, especially for my ENL students. I ask what they prefer to go by and repeat/practice it until I get it right. The smile I get in return are priceless.

I have had students with Americanized nicknames because it was "too challenging" for people to pronounce their name correctly. This student didn't seem like they minded, but when asked to pronounce their "real name," their face lit up. Students want adults (and peers) to care about them and their lives. The Hollywood story makes me sad, because I find it true that we try harder with difficult names when the individual is of a white majority culture. I don't believe that the "inconvenience" of trying to pronounce a difficult name is worth the price of a student feeling they have lost a piece of their identity.

I thought it was powerful how Quvenzhané Wallis' name was "difficult" for some people in hollywood to say so they said they would just call her "Q" to make it more comfortable for everyone else. I do see how that can be seen as an act of microagression since it is not someone's job to make other's more comfortable with how to say her name. And- the way they gave other "difficult" names that are often pronounced correctly can show that it isn't quite a matter of difficulty, but a matter of respect/who is "important." 

I have had students go by other names, and I often tell them on day one to tell me if htey have a preferred name but now I realize that they may not feel comfortable correcting me without a relationship so it did make me think of maybe revisiting that question after a few weeks/or even after a marking period. Then they may feel more comfortable sharing those things with me, as well. 

At this time, I have not noticed, heard, or given a student a nickname because I could not pronounce their name. Hopefully I never witness it being done. The Hollywood story is heartbreaking and frustrating. To have it put into perspective that there are white actors/actresses that have tricky names that people work hard to say correctly and pronounce but just giving nicknames to others because they couldn't be bothered is difficult to hear. I think about how Quvenzhané Wallis must of felt so empowered to have the interviewer ask to pronounce her name because it is important. He then emphasizes how to say her name. I really enjoyed that short clip. We have many new students who are seeking asylum, so they do not speak english. I was very nervous because they have told me their name over and over again. I was embarrassed that it is taking me so long to know their names, but I am going to take this opportunity after listening to this and having so many new kiddos through out the school to take a little more time to learn their names properly. 

As I am just beginning my teaching career, I have not experienced a child who had a "nickname" given, due to the fact that others could not pronounce their name. Taking a step back and thinking about that, I could not imagine that being a positive feeling, or experience for that child. To me that shows the lack of respect and care that those around them have about learning their name. It shows the lack of dedication as well. Yes it can be overwhelming and challenging, but giving up because it is "too hard" is not a good excuse. It can/will make the student feel as though they are not valued and respected in the same way their peers with "normal" names are. Creating a cheat sheet, and writing notes for yourself to better help pronounce their name is a great first step. I remember many of my teachers taking notes on their attendance sheets the first week of school so they remember what each student prefers to be called, and how to pronounce their name. I see so much value in this, and will do this within my own classroom, and with my students.

I completely agree with Jennifer Gonzalez's perspective on the importance of handling names correctly. It may seem inconsequential on the surface, but there are indeed deeper implications that we should all be aware of. Mispronouncing names, even unintentionally, can lead to microaggressions, which may be perceived as a form of disrespect or even bigotry by the person whose name is mispronounced. This can have a significant impact on an individual's sense of belonging and self-esteem.
Reflecting on this, I do recall a student from a previous class who had a "nickname" given to them because others couldn't pronounce their name correctly. The effect was clear – the student felt singled out and different from their peers. It created a sense of otherness that I can now see was entirely unnecessary and avoidable. I HIGHLY encourage all students with "different" types of names to use the original pronunciations so we can all learn it!
The Hollywood story that Gonzalez shared during the episode illustrates just how pervasive this issue can be, even in the entertainment industry. It highlights the need for a broader cultural shift in recognizing the importance of names and the impact they have on individuals.
Moving forward, I am committed to taking steps in my classroom and school to show respect and honor towards all my students, regardless of the complexity of their names. I will start by actively learning and practicing the correct pronunciation of each student's name. Additionally, I'll create a classroom culture where students feel comfortable correcting mispronunciations and where they see their names as an integral part of their identity. This way, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and respectful learning environment.

I have students with Chinese or African names who rename themselves in English names so others do not have to struggle to say them correctly,  For example, Tsepo is changed to Ryan. The Hollywood story is not surprising. It is an industry dominated by white people looking to make money. The practice of changing a person's name because English speakers could not pronounce it is very old. My relatives entered the USA through Ellis Island. Asunta became Anna on official papers. Pronouncing names is a big deal. I am sure I have butchered a name or two in my career and have not been aware of my arrogance or aggression. As my student population became more diverse over the years, I started making more of an effort to say names correctly. I created my own pronunciation key to remember how to say the students' names

In our classroom, we've had students who have embraced alternative names. Some have opted to translate their names or select a fresh English name. It's crucial for me to communicate with families, assuring them that I am dedicated to learning their child's name. However, I also emphasize that if they prefer to be addressed by another name, I am fully supportive of their choice. At one point I had a student who was using a nickname but he decided to go back to his given name. It was really cool to see all of his classmates support this  I firmly believe that the notion of encouraging students to adopt new English names solely for my convenience is misguided. As an advocate for students, I am committed to empowering them in selecting the name they wish to be called and actively promoting proper pronunciation through practice and modeling for other students. I have seen first hand that students will be supportive of this if they have adults to model after!