5 Easy Responses to “Your Name is Too Hard for Me”
Black kids and adults alike have one common struggle—their African names are mispronounced and considered difficult by colleagues, friends, schoolmates, and co-workers of other races. The 39-year-old American-born Nigerian actress, Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba, discussed wanting to shorten her name in grade school because she felt that no one knew how to pronounce it. However, her mother said, “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky and Michelangelo and Dostoyevsky, they can learn to say ‘Uzoamaka.’” Like many other Black people who are proud of their African names, she grew to love her name and you should too. Names are a reminder of our origin and they provide a unique means of identification: a special way of remembering who we are. Outlined below are five quick and easy responses to the statement “Your name is too hard for me.”
1. “You can learn how to pronounce it”
Names are fundamental parts of identity and anyone who wants to interact well with another person should put in some effort into learning how to pronounce their names. Mispronouncing someone’s name can have racialized undertones—even if it is unintentional. It can make children feel ashamed, embarrassed, and as if their name is burdensome. When an individual’s name has been frequently mispronounced, they have a tendency to shorten their names. They might even begin to shy away from their own language, culture, and tradition because they believe that their identity is not socially acceptable. Others can learn how to pronounce African names by asking the bearers of these names to teach them the correct pronunciation. They could also ask the parents of a child to pronounce the name and ask if they are getting it right. If anyone tells you that you are mispronouncing their name, apologize and ask them to teach you the correct pronunciation. The next time you pronounce their name, the pronunciation will be accurate and you will have learned a beautiful new name.
2. “I’ll teach you how to pronounce my name”
Sometimes people find name pronunciation difficult because they have never lived in a region where people bear that particular name. For individuals who claim that your name is difficult because of their own ignorance, teaching them how to spell and pronounce your name may be a step in the right direction. You will have taught them something new and improved your relationship with that person. Parents can encourage their children to instruct teachers and friends on how to pronounce their names. Names are unique for individuals, tribes, countries, and races. Encouraging others to learn about them will improve knowledge about cultural diversity.
3. “My name is not hard”
This is a direct way of communicating how you feel about your name being mispronounced or brushed off as “too hard to correctly pronounce.” People learn new languages, lines of code, and complex mathematical equations. A name is nowhere near as difficult. Reinstate the fact that your name is not hard and encourage others to learn how to pronounce it. Telling people that your name is not hard will further push them into making an effort to learn your name and resist brushing it off as too complicated. Parents should encourage teachers and friends to learn their children‘s names and pronounce their names correctly.
4. “You will learn how to pronounce my name”
This is a very progressive approach and indicative of the need for the person to learn how to pronounce your name. Oprah Winfrey is addressed as “Oprah” not “Orprah” because of her status in society. Individuals who have attained high levels of success are more likely to be respected and called by their real names irrespective of race and name length. It doesn’t sound fair, but people make efforts to pronounce the names of successful people. Work towards greatness and remind people who say that your name is too hard for them that very soon, they will address you by your name.
5. “My name is________”
Tell the person your full name with pride and a wide smile. With an air of friendliness, remind them of the individuality and importance of your name. Say it with confidence and strength, as you roll your tongue over those beautiful syllables. Your name is your identity, a reminder of your origin, and something you should take pride in. It doesn’t matter how long your name is or how it sounds, it is your name. Embrace your name in all of its Africanness and ensure that your friends, classmates, co-workers, and family accept that.
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Your name is not differential calculus or neurosurgery. Anyone who puts forth the effort can learn to pronounce your beautiful African name correctly. Black parents and children living abroad do not have to shorten their names to fit in—their names are not too difficult for people from other races of all age groups to pronounce.
Gimbiya Galadima is a fourth-year medical student and creative writer. She is very passionate about African literature. She is an avid reader of writers such as Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, and Chinua Achebe. Gimbiya writes all sorts of pieces, but she focuses on poetry and flash fiction.
