Is this offensive?

[Itsallhere]

Situation - having to check documents at work while speaking to the person whose documents they were, like, checking someone’s passport and having to read out their name and address back to them to check it. A name you haven’t heard or seen written down before, if you say “I hope im pronouncing this right” and then confirming the name. Is that othering and offensive or not? I can totally see that it might make the person feel that they were different, that their name was unusual, unknown, different, even weird. But I can also see that it could be viewed as the person saying it, trying to show they actually cared about how it was pronounced, instead of going in bulldozing over the correct pronounciation, and saying it however they felt like.
What do you think?

I like when people make an effort and then ask if they are pronouncing it right. If they aren't then I just say it correctly. Yesterday I went to get my passport checked and the man doing it was an ESL speaker and he completely butchered every name but was visibly very pleased with himself for making the effort so I didn't bother even correcting him. My name has sounds that don't exist in the English alphabet so I never expect anyone to get it fully right.

@toffeebutterpopcorn it is useful having unusual names in the family when you're interested in genealogy though.. I've had far more success at tracing the unusual name family sides than the common names sides!

It’s the ‘wrong side’ so no one is interested
Haha!

@Itsallhere

Saw this article and it may be of interest to you.

Orchidflower1 can you link the article?

@Itsallhere

www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56069358

So sorry- I didn’t realise it hadn’t linked before.

I have a very complicated name,
I don't mind that people don't know how to say it. Not remembering when you know someone for some time is different. Othering would never even enter my mind.

Are people on this thread saying it is not ok to not attempt the name and just ask how you say it? As a dyslexic I sometimes struggle to read what is in front of me, so instead of totally butchering it I just ask. Now I am worried that is rude now

Thanks orchid, that’s interesting

I think it comes across as quite caring to ask. Surely it's nice if someone wants to say your name correctly? Usually though if I'm unsure I will google pronunciation before I attempt saying it.

My family name has a sound in it not used in English, my first name is simple but unusual, the only thing I get annoyed at is ‘well I’ll just use (insert anglicised version or nickname).’ Surprisingly common.
80% of people make a reasonable polite try and then ask, that’s fine. Some just pause and ask, that’s fine. The ones who race through loudly and assertively giving no space for correction are annoying.
The funny thing is the kids don’t really say it properly either, being English speakers foremost, and so I’ve let go more over the years with the sounds! It’s sort of become our English translation. My husband does the same, introduces himself with an english sound version of his name, he can’t be bothered with the faff.

I suppose it’s worse when your ‘real’ name has letters and sounds you dont get in English. I call ours the ‘cat growl’!