Hellobee Boards

I don't think that is a big deal at all if you say that in English we say it like "__" and in Korean it is said a different way.

I just read this the other day and you might find it helpful as you decide. I can see handling it a multitude of ways including giving him the option of going by it with both pronunciations.

http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2014/07/what-i-want-you-to-know-about-keeping.html?m=1

I teach international students and many of them have names that in English look like they would be pronounced one way but aren't. For example, I have taught several Latino boys with the names Julio, Javier, Jamie, etc. The community in which I teach isn't terribly cosmopolitan, so most students and teachers thought these names started with a /j/ sound. As their ESOL teacher it often falls to me to explain that the letter j is pronounced like a /h/ in Spanish. Yes, it's a bit of explaining to do, but my students always appreciate people honoring their heritage and thus validating their identities.

I just read an article about this sort of situation. http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2014/07/what-i-want-you-to-know-about-keeping.html?m=1

Personally I would just use the Korean pronunciation. Typically when you are introducing him it would be verbally so "Tay" wouldn't confuse anyone. If they later see it written down, you can simply say "It looks like "Jay", but it's pronounced "Tay" in Korean." I don't think it would be too confusing. There are many languages with different sounds for letters - when I see a name I'm not sure of, I just ask.

This isn't adoption specific but I love what the mom tells her daughter about pronunciation:
'If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky, and Michelangelo and Dostoyevsky, then they can learn to say Uzoamaka.' And we never discussed it again."

Congrats on your son
(Full interview here http://www.npr.org/2014/07/31/336829799/playing-crazy-eyes-taught-actress-its-ok-to-be-just-you )

@magnolia: Oh I love that quote. So true.

I think it's fine to have two pronunciations. My last name is pronounced in an "American" way and when people occasionally use the "correct" pronunciation, I don't mind. It doesn't really seem to bother anyone. I also know of several people from other countries who will introduce themselves to English speakers using a shortened or Americanized version of their real names, and everyone seems fine by it.

Im Korean and def have nvr heard of a J name pronounced w a T. Including my own name which is a very common female j name in korea. May I ask what the name is and by chance maybe the krn ladies misread it?

@hotchildinthecity: Congrats!! How long did the whole process take, from when you started?

No real input, but I'm glad to hear that some of the Korean bees confirmed the initial pronunciation. I following along with your adoption story.

@hotchildinthecity: That is awesome!