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admin
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 Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Lazy-Tongue |
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| Cxsm wrote: | Lazy-Tongue
Have you ever been a victim of a 'lazy-tongue'? 
I'll begin by defining what I mean by a 'lazy-tongue'. It's that which is too lazy to make an effort to pronounce some 'selective' foreigners' names. For instance it can be American with no Jewish, Polish or other Eastern European ties, yet find NO difficulty in pronouncing 'Schwarzenegger', 'Kwrazcholvoliski etc., but will twist and turn or forever be challenged when it comes to pronouncing 'Ogbologbo' or 'Bimbola'.
Sometimes it's so lazy, it would ask you 'if it can just call you some other name but your real name'. It is sometimes not even willing to try, it considers your name foreign, especially if you're of black descent, and automatically concludes 'your name deserves NO effort in being pronounced correctly'.
Have you lost opportunities, been discriminated against, been denigrated, been cast aside, etc., because of a lazy-tongue? :?
Have you been so discriminated against by so many lazy-tongues that you have been forced to change your name to allow you to enjoy the same priviledges, that the lazy-tongue would have precluded you from participating in? 
Have you been so ashamed of your name out of fear of the lazy-tongue's judgements, that you did not even wait to experience it's wrath before you chose to change your name?  E.g. Fagbemi becomes Faby. (We're not talking nicknames now.)
Have you given your children English and other 'lazy-tongue' acceptable names to protect them from discrimination?
If you have encountered any of the wrath and disadvantages of the lazy tongue, please share your experiences with us. :cry:
Also, if you have any advice as to how potential and existing victims can escape its wrath, turmoil and embarassment, please enlighten us as to how you were able to tackle the challenges. 
Cxsm
31st Oct. '03
© Cxsm 2003 All Rights Reserved |
Prior to taking the name of Daboh, my last name was "Colclough", which is pronounced, surprisingly, COKE-LEE. People use to call me quite a bit of things. I was asked on several occasions if I was German (due to how many people tried to pronounce it), even though it was evident upon seeing me I am African American. Some people would put a majical "M" in the name and say McClough (go figure). Even though my name is much shorter now (Daboh), it still is butchered terribly. I just correct it (having to pronounce it several times) before people can say it correctly.
As a teacher though, I make it a habit of learning how to pronounce every students' name correctly, for I know how important it is to them (which is no easy task these days with the names they have), but I notice people will either call me by my first name to avoid saying my last name correctly, or settle for another version of it.
PMdaboh
1/3/08
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admin
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Lazy-Tongue |
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| PMdaboh wrote: | | As a teacher though, I make it a habit of learning how to pronounce every students' name correctly, for I know how important it is to them (which is no easy task these days with the names they have), but I notice people will either call me by my first name to avoid saying my last name correctly, or settle for another version of it. |
The first thing I teach, is my name. I am hardly gonna teach you anything else if you don't learn that, so when you ask it me, I will tell it you; and you have to pronounce it properly - at least to the very best of your ability.
I guess its the teacher in me, the student does the learning.
Buda Atum
1/3/08 |
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admin
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:23 am Post subject: |
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I find it very amusing when people try to pronounce my name. Even when its butchered. Most folks do ask me the right way to say it though, and make an effort.
Allowed
1/3/08 |
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admin
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:24 am Post subject: |
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People butcher both the spelling and pronounciation of my last name. There are people that I have worked with for the past thirteen years who still spell my name wrong.
My SO told me that it took his EX six months to spell and say his last name and this was after they were married. I admit I butchered it the first time, then asked him the correct way to say it. Have not had a problem since, same thing with spelling it.
Azbaby
1/3/08
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