To correct anyone who mispronounces my name?

[Verbeann]

Hi all,
I’m starting a new job soon; it’s a working from home/ remote working role. I’m based in N. Ireland and the rest of my new colleagues will be based in England so there will be lots of video calls etc with them. The way my first name is pronounced is generally different here than the rest of the UK. Would IBU to correct my new colleagues if they don’t get the way I say it right? (I find people from outside my region generally don’t). Not to be a dick about it either, the UK pronunciation is definitely the more well-known one, but it’s just not my name IYSWIM! I always try to be polite about it but still wonder if it comes across a bit precious/fussy, obviously want to make a good impression with new colleagues. Thoughts?

Absolutely, I do as I have an uncommon name! I bet a man wouldn't think twice about it.

We have a team member like this, her name is written Marie, but pronounced ‘Marry’. Correct them 100% they’ll soon get used to it.

Yes do. The issue is that if you leave it too late, they'll have gotten used to calling you B when your name is A.

If done the right way it could be a good ice breaker.

I have a friend called Ellen. Where I live locals tend to drop the H when speaking, so when I first met her she said "my name is Ellen, without an H"

I correct people all the time. I hate the war Americans pronounce my name, it’s the way it’s pronounced over there but not how I say it so have no problem correcting them. One of my DDs names gets pronounced differently by various people, not sure why as it’s quite clear in the spelling, I always correct people. And I have another DD with a very Irish name that no one can pronounce so I always sound it out and correct people until they get it right.

Definitely correct them Op - each and every time and they'll soon get it.

I feel like your name is Ana pronounced anya . Or something similar. Yes pick up on it but maybe actually introduce yourself saying it correctly when you start speaking on the call.

Absolutely, you can just say it’s pronounced X in NI.

I have a name that ends in ‘A’, I correct everyone who chooses to end it in ‘E’.

Introduce yourself a lot-make a point of asking people their names and using yours!

And yes, correct people!

@LouiseTrees

I feel like your name is Ana pronounced anya . Or something similar. Yes pick up on it but maybe actually introduce yourself saying it correctly when you start speaking on the call.

This wouldn't be a typically NI thing. The name you're thinking of is Áine btw. And not the same as Anna, per se. We have plenty of Annas here. Aine is a different name, albeit an irish version.

I'm trying to work out what her name is though. I think Marie actually.

Yes I would correct them, I’m sure they won’t mind. If you don’t correct them you’ll forever be known as the wrong pronunciation.

My name is a bog standard typical for my generation name with a hard ‘S’ in the middle. Used to annoy me no end when people would pronounce it with a z instead

Forgot to add Dd has an Irish name and often gets pronounced the way it’s spelt, although it’s a relatively easy one as far as Irish names go!

Mhari will oft get pronounced as Marry but its actually Vhari?

Could be Caitlin, Helena, Lisa, yvonne...

Yes, I like it when people do this. It shouldn't be a problem.

I would do it All. The. Time.

If they pronounce it differently then it isn't your name, so I'd correct them

I do this all the time, my names Marie and people mispronounce it often - I’ve never thought it rude to correct someone as long as you do so politely!

Is it Deirdre??

Correct them, it gets embarrassing otherwise!!

Can you get your boss to introduce you on every call you join at the beginning and make sure they are clear on the pronunciation.

If there is an opportunity, when you speak, say, Hello, I'm Deirdre, pronounced the Irish way, not Dear Deidre from The Sun or Deirdre Barlow! I am excited to be part of your team and look forward to getting to know you al l and getting to know your names too. I know I have a strong accent so please do ask if I need to speak more slowly.

Is it Ciara?

Another one for correcting with a smile. I’ve known a couple of Irish Alannah’s in my time. Everyone in England pronounces it with a long middle a instead of a short one. Exhausting for them to constantly correct it but people get there in the end .

Do it. My name is foreign (mix of family tradition and mum being fond of a certain country, I roll my eyes regularly). Fortunately, people tend to ask if I want the full thing or a shortening and if they say it incorrectly, I correct them if they’re going to be speaking to me lots. As a teacher, I make a huge effort to ensure I’m pronouncing names properly, it’s really important for the children to know I”m bothered.

Absolutely.

Yes. I know a Megan pronounced Meegan and a Theresa who is most definitely Te-RAISE-a not Te-REES-a. It only sticks in my mind because they were both quite clear about it, in an entirely reasonable way- after all you don’t often hear a person say their own name much after they first introduce themselves do you, so there is not a lot of repetition to remind you.