I often have students in my class that have (to many) difficult names to pronounce when seen on paper. I agree that taking the time to pronounce them correctly is important- I do not want to embarass the student but their name does matter. I have heard kids say "just call me..." and it's an "easier" version of their name. I never thought of how they are taking away from their own identity just to make it easier for others. I often tell students who reply "that's fine" to my pronounciation that I want to say it correct and be corrected. It makes me realize that they have probably had other teachers/friends/people "give up" on saying their name and expect it to be said incorrectly. I see how sometimes students don't want to correct adults because they may think it is disrespectful or embarassing, but then adults need to be better about showing the importance of it.
