The name game
Mithering on behalf of BBC Worklife, Zulekha Nathoo explains Why getting a name right matters. If you can't be bothered to read the whole article, you're not alone. It's just another whinge about mispronunciation of names, and how it's your fault if you struggle with someone's name.
Because mispronunciations are micro-invalidations
or, worse, micro-assaults
. According to Myles Durkee, who is an assistant professor of psychology, specialising in flap‑flap‑flap, at the University of Michigan:
Durkee refers to these types of actions as “micro-invalidations” and when they’re unequivocally prejudiced, “micro-assaults”. “Micro-assaults are much more explicit, intentional forms of discrimination or disrespect. Strategically mispronouncing someone's name is a way of othering someone.”
Zulekha Nathoo, Why getting a name right matters, BBC Worklife
Whatever-the-hell othering
is supposed to mean, in the real world. (snowflake)
Then again, I'm a white Englishman, so it's easy for me to scoff. After all, no one mispronounces my name, right?
Wrong. Even the standard latin alphabet is prononced differently in other languages. From my own personal experience, the Spanish, for example, have difficulties with hard consonants. German-speakers completely mispronounce my name if they haven't heard it before. But none of it matters; I find it either enlightening or amusing.
I fail at dinky butthurt. (sad)