The Struggle with Mispronunciations and Misspellings of Common Singaporean Names
In Singapore, common names are so familiar that they are often associated with certain characteristics, like “David Tan (work)” or “David Tan (friend).” However, for those with names that are a little more challenging to pronounce or spell, the experience can be frustrating, especially when people consistently get them wrong.
Deirdre, an undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, shares how her name—pronounced as “there-dre”—has been mispronounced countless times. From “Diardre” to “they-dre” and even “they-dra,” the mistakes are relentless. While she appreciates the efforts of some to get it right, the constant mispronunciations, even on official documents like certificates, have been a source of frustration.
Kannan, who has a relatively simple name, also finds the misspellings perplexing. He recalls how people often butcher his name, spelling it in ways that seem unnecessarily complicated. Though he doesn’t let it bother him too much, he has started documenting these errors as a way to cope with the lack of attention to detail.
Darcel recounts how her name, which she received after her mother misheard a character from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, is consistently mispronounced. Her name, a French one, is pronounced “dar-sell,” but most people say “dar-cel,” rhyming with “parcel.” Growing up, she was often teased by classmates who found her name odd, and even teachers sometimes assumed she was a boy based on her name. Despite this, Darcel tries to be patient with others and even enjoys the affectionate nicknames people give her when they can’t pronounce her name.
Nang Theint Hanni, who is Burmese, has faced issues with people mispronouncing her full name, especially during school award ceremonies. While she appreciates that some individuals check the pronunciation beforehand, it remains an ongoing issue. Although she finds it a minor inconvenience, she wishes that there was less to explain about her name and that it wasn’t so easy to find her details online. Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful that conversations about diversity and visibility will continue to grow.
