If I mispronounce your name because it is foreign to my tongue, correct me.
I don’t purposefully allow the accents of your name to fall flat on my tongue like the European English demands or the language to sound chopped and misheard.
If I don’t say your name correctly, don’t shrug and say it’s ok because people have been doing it all your life. Your mother worked hard to name you that name, with all its syllables and apostrophes and hyphens and inflection.
I don’t want to disrespect your heritage, your culture, your great grandmother or grandfather and their struggle.
If I mispronounce your name, forgive me, but don’t let it happen again. Make sure everyone knows your name.
This
Please do.
I was named for a goddess, a fae creature who sacrificed her immortality for humankind. My name is Welsh and it mangles on the tongues of most people. It has taken me years to be able to correct people kindly but firmly.
I want to accord you the same respect I demand from others. Please tell me if your name tangles in the threads of my native language, or if my scattered mind twists the letters. I want to know you and your name is a part of you.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
