Pronouncing Names

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5 Tips for Properly Pronouncing Names

The United States is a country made up of immigrants. Ever since its founding over 200 years ago, people have been coming to the United States in search of a better life from countries around the world.
One of the challenges that face many customer service individuals and others who deal with the public on a daily basis is the lack of skills necessary to correctly pronounce peoples' names. The following tips will help you correctly pronounce any type of name, regardless of origin.
1. Familiarize Yourself With Names from Different Countries
Pronunciation is one of the biggest factors that separates one language from the next. Familiarize yourself with the languages that you deal with on an everyday basis and practice basic pronunciation.
A good example is Vietnamese because the "g" is silent in most of the language's common names. If you have problems with Vietnamese pronunciation, practice some of the basic names over and over again.
2. Practice Each Syllable
If you have trouble saying any name, break down the name by syllable. Repeat the name slowly until you are no longer having trouble.
It may also be a good idea for you to record yourself when saying the name out loud to help with the syllables.
3. Memorize the Spelling
Memorizing the spelling will help with pronunciation because you'll be able to recall each letter when you have to say the name out loud. Memorization also often helps with pronunciation because of repetition.
4. Ask the Individual
If you're unsure about the pronunciation of a particular name, don't be afraid to ask the person before you say it out loud. Once they've told you their name, repeat it in your head so you won't have problems in the future with the pronunciation.
5. Practice the Entire Name
Once you've broken the name down by syllable, practice saying the name in its entirety. Repetition of the name in your head will help when it comes time to say it out loud.
When you begin to have trouble saying a particular name out loud, repetition is the best way to resolve the issue. Repeat it a few times a day until it sounds perfect in your head.

10 Tips to Help You Pronounce Difficult Names

Have you ever been through that awkward experience when you’re giving a speech, introducing a guest or giving a presentation and you simply can’t get that difficult name right? Huh?Yeah, it’s embarrassing, but it happens to very many of us including native speakers of English. Is there a magic wand that can help you avoid tough names? Yes, the simplest way out is mastering some basic tips that will help you conquer most of the hard names you come across.

In the case of a presentation, it is very useful that you figure out the pronunciation of the difficult names ahead of time to avoid getting stuck during that crucial business or coursework presentation. You can use online resources and see if there are any phonetic tips for that particular name. For example, “Thoreau” can be a tricky word for those that are new to English, but a simple search on Google can help you figure it out fast.
When meeting someone for the first time and their last name is tricky, you may as well ask them to spell the name out for you phonetically. In my own experience, I find that people are courteous enough to help me a few times until I can pronounce their name correctly. Don’t waste the precious first meeting! Take that time to nail down that difficult name!
Once you figured out the pronunciation of a particular word, it’s highly recommended that repeat it severally to make sure that your brain identifies the word and is able to reproduce it anytime you need it. Computer scientists use reinforcement learning algorithms to learn from data, so that with increased experience, the computer programs make better decisions. So can you! Reinforce the pronunciation until you’re flawless!
Some online resources, including dictionaries, offer the pronunciation using simple notation to help you say the words correctly. For example, you can take advantage of the Merriam-Webster Online pronunciation guide.
One of my favorite resources is the audio pronunciation feature on Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster has spent hours uploading audio pronunciations of thousands of words and names, which you might as well utilize. There is no need to keep getting the pronunciations wrong! You might “earn” your next job because of your stunning articulation of words and names. Keep investing in yourself!
Spend time conversing with native speakers in order to improve your articulation/pronunciation of words. I am an African, but I learnt to speak English since I was young. I thought that my pronunciation was good until I came to America! People would hardly understand me, so I had to work on my pronunciation. With time, I was able to learn by listening to friends and professors. It’s my third year in America and my pronunciation is solid. Thanks to my American friends and lecturers. You can try this too!
Listening to audiotapes and books can help you become better at pronouncing difficult names. I spend a bit of time listening to audiotapes on business, leadership among other things. Loads of names are mentioned in a single tape so I manage to learn how the native speakers say certain words. Worth the effort. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Educational movies are a great resource for anyone who loves to learn. If you want to really make great strides, consider adding subtitles so that you can listen to the pronunciation and see the words simultaneously. You can easily replay a few times till you master the pronunciation of a desired word.
Develop an interest in language and people so that you are able to easily recall the pronunciation of words or people’s names. Many find in hard to pronounce difficult names because of lack of interest in people. Have fun when meeting people and you will find it ridiculously easy to accurately recall and pronounce the hard Russian or African names with little effort. Care about people; develop a genuine interest in knowing who they are. You will find how amazing people are and how easy it could be to pronounce their difficult names! It’s been the case for me in college J
Be persistent. Some names can be rather tricky, especially when some letters are silent or pronounced in a distinct way. In that case, it is your duty to keep looking until you are able to find the right pronunciation. Most people skip over a difficult name only to find that the interviewer has the same name! So it’s better to get it right the first time. Strong pronunciation skills can save you when you least expect.

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