Should I correct my inlaws for pronouncing LO's name kind of wrong? They accent the wrong syllable when they say it. It's a 3 syllable name where the 1st syllable is most strongly accented, but they accent the final syllable. The difference isn't huge, but it's noticeable to me and it kinda drives me crazy. I had hoped that continuing to say it correctly around them would help them catch on, but he's almost 5 months and they haven't! What can I do, especially after so long, to not seem rude? His name is not terribly uncommon (within the top 300 last year) and nobody else I've met has had trouble with it.
-
I think your husband should, since it's his parents. I have a name that people misprounce all.the.time (even after I correct them sometimes, sigh) and let me you, it only gets more and more frustrating and grating to hear yourself or your loved one called the wrong name over time!!! So yup, I'd correct them! They probably don't even hear themselves doing it; and so won't get your hinting about it.
-
@yoursilverlining: Yeah, I agree. If they haven't caught on by now maybe your husband can casually, jokingly, or quietly say it, or emphasize the right syllable more, or whatever. That way they won't get offended.
-
I agree that your husband should be the one to say something - it should be easier coming from him. My inlaws still pronounce my name wrong and we've been married for almost three years! : /
-
I talked to him about it and he says it doesn't really bother him! I might ask him to say something anyway, though. I have no idea how it could not bug him. It's like a record scratch every time I hear it.
-
Ugh... I would. I have a coworker (there's only 5 of us so I see/talk to him EVERY DAY) who after 7 years still says my name wrong. I've corrected it probably 50 times, but it never takes, so a few years I just gave up. I'd probably have your husband gently correct it a couple times, or say it properly after they do. Ie: "Is sonsname walking yet?", "Yes, properlypronouncedname took 7 unassisted steps yesterday".
-
My grandparents mispronounced my cousin's name for probably about 6 months. His name is Ian (pronounced EE-an) and they called him EYE-an. I think the parents tried to subtly correct it like you did. Finally my mom talked to them when the parents/baby weren't around and said they had been saying the name differently than how the parents said it. There were no issues and they've said it correctly since.
Even though it doesn't bother your husband, would he be willing to talk to them because it bothers you? Or is there another relative that could casually mention i
-
I would definitely have DH say something.
-
I would totally have your husband say something. I would also make a big show of putting the emphasis on her name the way you want it said, not the way they are saying it.
-
I would have my husband say something. it would really bother me.
-
My funny/sneaky way of saying something... if you have them around when you have friends/cousins/other relatives you're close with, get them to come up to you and LO when you're around your IL's and ask to hold him then say "I think I'm pronouncing it wrong, is it Xxx or xxX?" And then you can "teach" the friend/cousin/whatever how to say it. And hope they pay attention. HAHAHA! My DH hates getting into drama and would probably not even say anything so I'd have to be sneaky
-
This happened with my MIL. Don't even know why b/c she heard it pronounced at the hospital! But I had my husband say something to her - I said that if I did it I didn't think it would come out as cordial.
So she got the hint and finally got the name right. Now if only she'd correct her sister, who heard the mispronunciation from her! Sigh...
-
My in-laws mispronounce my little girl's name but they're not English-speakers so I let it slide. Otherwise is definitely be wondering what their problem is haha
-
My own father does this with LO's name and it drives me bonkers. My son's name is completely easy to pronounce. I am not at all subtle about correcting dad and he still pronounces it wrong half of the time. That said, dad is not a native English speaker. However, I think most languages would not have much difficulty pronouncing DS's name (my other Asian relatives don't seem to have any problems).
-
Just had an idea about this... could it be that they get mixed up about how to say it? I have a family member's kid named Lila and I forget (EVEN NOW) if it's Lee-la or Lie-la. I always just wait for someone else to say it, or say "little cutie" instead hahah. Maybe if you act like it's common and say "oh you can remember it by LIE-la, like she could never tell a LIE" and say something that will help them remember how to pronounce it, then you could help them along and it comes off less rude!
-
My family and ILs do this... but I think partly because his name is a spinoff of the traditional name "Jacob" and they think it's weird. Adding the "i" at the end changes the entire pronounciation of the name, so they say Jacob-i instead of Juh-co-bee. It's really annoying because I think they do it on purpose to reiterate that we chose an odd name
I always correct them. But they seem to enjoy my reaction
So she got the hint and finally got the name right. Now if only she'd correct her sister, who heard the mispronunciation from her! Sigh...
I always correct them. But they seem to enjoy my reaction Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
15 comments