We take pride in making sure we pronounce our student’s names correctly. This year, I learned that I was definitely not pronouncing one of my student’s name correctly… not even close!!! We all, or most of us, know that different languages letters produce different sounds, which leads to a different way a word is pronounced. For example, the “b” sound in English (bi) is not the same in Spanish (bay). That is why my new student’s mom got a good laugh at our expense!
My new kindergartner is a handsome boy with beautiful eyes and a gorgeous smile. From the first day of school, we would pronounce his name, Yeray, as Yahray. There would be times he would look at us funny, but would respond to us despite the funny looks. It was two months into the school year, on a Thursday morning, when one of my paras commented to me that she thinks we are pronouncing Yeray’s name incorrectly. Riding the bus with two of our other students allowed her to see and hear mom greet Yeray.
“I think mom says his name differently.”
Knowing that on the following Monday, mom would be dropping Yeray off at school, I told my paras that I would ask her how she pronounces his name. Monday morning rolls around, and sure enough, in walks mom with her son. After saying good morning and exchanging pleasantries, I say to mom, “Can I ask you a question?”
Mom, “Yes.”
Me, “How do you pronounce your son’s name?”
Mom, “How do you pronounce his name?”
Me, “Yahray.”
Mom… cracks up laughing! And, I mean she was laughing!!! I look at her, and smiling say, “We are butchering his name, aren’t we?”
Still laughing, she shakes her head yes!
Still smiling, I say, “How do you say his name?”
Mom, “Jedi.”
Me, “Jedi?”
Mom, “Yes, Jedi.”
Me, laughing by now, “Oh yeah, we were definitely butchering his name!!!!!”
Do you have a funny name story? Let me know!!!