“SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME”...
No really, learn how to say my name.
Couple of days ago, I was listening to NPR… I repeat, NPR. Of all the news radios I expect better. They always pride themselves on being one of the best news outlets.
Anyhow, I am coming from a dentist appointment, annoyed that I had to wake up early for the appointment then only to realize I have a small cavity that needs filling, and I am tired of wearing braces… To add to my annoyance, I am riding in a Lyft service and many of you would still call it Uber.
As I am listening to the radio…
the host of NPR spoke about the female coaches breaking records.
It is GREAT to hear that many women are simply stepping into the position they were born to play.
Another thing I noticed; the host stumbled over the Coach’s name.
I took a deep breath and blurted out, “You are on national radio.” Since you prepared ahead of time to do this episode…
Learn the person’s name. Break it down… look on Facebook, they have a section on how to pronounce it… ask Google or Siri or simply, ask someone.
Maral Javadifar
The Coaches name is Maral Javadifar (Jah-va-dee-far). I personally might have a hard time pronouncing it and many might, but since you are going to speak about this woman on national public radio you better know the origin of the name and how to say it phonetically.
So, this just set off my usual storming thoughts.
It is becoming inexcusable to stumble over people’s names. This touches a personal place in my heart because since the day I started school…First grade to be exact.
I have been correcting people ever since...I even correct my parents on how they spelled my name. ‘I’ before ‘e’ except after ‘C’…they do not follow rules.
I am used to my name being stumbled over, mispronounced, or they simply just refer to me by my last name because they could not pronounce my first name. “My heart will go on,” Celine Dion reference. I feel for those who must go through this.
But under no circumstances should you find it necessary to form-fit… dumb-down who you are to try and blend into western society and their basic names. Many do it and later regret it.
So, if you choose to name your child something outlandish…hopefully not Apple…. Let it have meaning and be proud. They might go through life correcting people; however, they will know they are special. Plus, teachers are tired of hearing Jaden, Aiden, Braden, Kaden….’en’, etc. Some may even consider a short common name with the belief that their child’s chance of being hired will increase when applying for jobs. That depends on what job this child will be applying for and if there isn’t a pandemic going on….no one is being hired or he might be an entrepreneur.
Many times, it is not the name that is the issue… it is people's short attention span. So, to all the names that are hard to pronounce … I see you and I will take the time to pronounce it. Own who you are and if need be correct them every time.
I was watching tv and a little girl quoted her mom when she questioned her own name. Her mom said,
“If they can pronounce Tchaikovsky… They can say your name as well.”
So, “Say my name, say my name,” and when others are calling you by your name, they are invoking your essence. They are speaking your name and the meaning into existence. Own it and Be it. That is only if it’s something positive.
