If you are like me, you’ve had someone say something like “I’m going to mess this up” before they start trying to say your name. Many people struggle to call our African traditional names. It can be annoying especially when they don’t even try or when they ask you if you have a nick name. It’s not enough that you’ve had to adjust every other aspect of your life to live in the U.S., they want you to change your name too? Your name, your identity! What will you have left? But you know, the longer we stay in the U.S., we adjust and adjust and the name starts sounding different from what it was originally meant to be. Sometimes I close my eyes and remember my mother calling me just so I can retain the correct enunciation of my name. But why should I have to, when I can introduce myself to people with the correct pronunciation and teach them how to say it the right way? It might take some people a long time to get it (and I know we get tired), but it’s my name, why shouldn’t they be the ones to learn how to say it? Why do I have to be the one to adjust?
Anyway, I’m ranting… can you tell I have feelings about this?
As school begins and our kids have to introduce themselves to their classmates and teachers, they may need some help with their names. This video gave me a good laugh while addressing real struggles of Africans living in America. Maybe you can relate…
Don’t forget how to say your name and don’t be afraid to teach others how to say it right!
This is a good one. People should always maintain their identity. If others cannot make an effort to respect others identity, it becomes their challenge, which we can always help them to solve. But it becomes their serious problem if they think it is your fault for them not making an effort to pronounce your name right.
Thanks! I wish it were as easy as helping people to solve their challenge.
I love this piece and the accompanying short movie. I’ve always enjoyed saying my name and find great pleasure teaching others to say it. I find that people are curious and desire to learn how to say it right, because they check with me to confirm that they got it right. A wonderful sense of self is where your name emanates from when you say it. Then people are affected by the energy surrounding your name and the moment. But if one lacks a strong sense of self, the poor energy makes even a simple name, like John, sound laughable. Know thyself!
Thank you! That’s great you’ve enjoyed the experience of teaching others how to say your name.
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