How to Get People to Pronounce Your Name Correctly

Our names are so important. Speaking from my own experience, having your name mispronounced repeatedly feels really awkward and alienating — you start to feel like you’re the “other” or an outsider.

But correcting people when they mispronounce your name can also feel awkward and difficult, especially as a person of color, when you’re already consistently on the receiving end of biases related to your cultural background.

In this #AskRitu video, I share how to get others to say your name correctly, based on my own experiences with people mispronouncing my name.

Watch now!

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About Ritu Bhasin:
Ritu Bhasin, LL.B. MBA, is an internationally recognized expert in diversity and leadership development, the Founder and CEO of leading diversity and inclusion-focused consulting firm bhasin consulting inc., and the author of The Authenticity Principle: Resist Conformity, Embrace Differences, and Transform How You Live, Work, and Lead. Inspired by her own journey to overcome racist childhood bullying, Bhasin now teaches globally on how to live, work, and lead in an empowered and inclusive way.

About The Authenticity Principle:
In a society that pushes conformity, how can you courageously choose to be who you really are — with yourself, in your relationships, and at work — despite the fear of judgment? The Authenticity Principle shows you how.

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[micro_vengeance]

This is really helpful. My last name is German and 98% of people pronounce it the English way. I always appreciate when people ask me how it's pronounced before assuming since it's so uncommon. Watching this made me realize, I don't smile when I have to correct people. I actually get annoyed because I have to correct people so often. I'm gonna try what you've suggested here. Smiling alone could go a long way for me in these situations. Sometimes it gets overwhelming having a name nearly no one gets right.

[DA-qzpy]

This is so helpful! Thank you for your video. My name is Dulce and I started going by “Dee” because many were getting my name wrong and called me Dolce as in Dolce and Gabbana and though it’s not terribly bad it’s still not “me” for a while I would correct people, but I find that many avoid talking to me because they fear they’ll offend me by calling me by the wrong name. Now that I’m stepping into a career where I’ll be networking more Ive been thinking about ways to help people say my name correctly or I’ve been debating if I should just go by “Dee”

I need a helpful script, for Spanish speakers this is a really easy name, but it’s hard for English natives and wish there was an easy thing I can say to help them remember. Dol-se.

If anyone has any ideas or tips I’d really appreciate it!! Thank you!❤

[milwaukeemotor]

exactly expecting people who are speaking english to speak your name in a different language, its not right

[Daniel-pwpk]

What advise would give to an Indian American who’s decided to change his last name to something more western. My family is furious but if I want to successful in America shouldn’t I do everything possible to give myself a fighting chance ?

[milwaukeemotor]

when youre learning a new language its important to say the correct words and grammar the pronunciation comes with years and years of practice, but thats different compared to pronouncing the name of a person