A Travelling Professor
  • Home
  • About
  • Teaching
    • Teaching Philosophy
    • Teaching Practices >
      • A word on Covid
      • Academic Integrity
      • Guest Speakers
      • Team Testing
      • Games
      • Round Table Discussions
    • Testimonials >
      • Students
      • SFQ's
      • Colleagues
    • Learning outside the classroom >
      • LEED Field Trip @ Humber
      • Sustainable Tourism Miniconference
      • Volunteer Assignment
      • Forest Classroom
      • Trade Shows
      • Service Observation Assignment
      • Amazing Race across campus
    • Field Trips >
      • Cranberry Farm
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad Europe >
      • The Prep
      • The Castle
      • Strasbourg
      • The Experience
      • The Extras
      • On the Road
      • Paris
    • Service Learning - Study Abroad
    • Trip Planning & Travel Experience
  • Community
    • GAPS Challenge 2020
    • Swimming Project >
      • The Project
      • The Process
      • The Opening
      • The Finish Line
    • EcoCloset
    • Showcase >
      • Showcase - My Presentation Contributions
      • Showcase 2018 - "Pulse"
    • APEC >
      • HRT Plenary
      • Honourary Degree Recipient
      • HRT Staff Field Trip
      • My Pro-Dev Presentations
    • Mentorship
    • College Events
    • Personal >
      • On the run
  • ProDev
    • Contact
    • Conferences >
      • UTSC Case Competition
    • Research
    • Certificates
  • Personal
    • Awards >
      • HRT Community Service Award
      • Student Appreciation Award - Nominee
      • Boardroom Challenge Award
    • Degrees
    • Private life
  • Blog

My blog.

What's in a name?

10/7/2018

10 Comments

 
As someone with an (almost) unpronounceable, non-anglo-saxon name, I have had a few experiences that have left me flabbergasted, for lack of a better word, and I don't delude myself into thinking that it will go away at any point in time (unless, heaven forbid, I became seriously famous).  So I thought I start my blog by giving some thought to this topic, because I am living in a diverse country, teaching in diverse classrooms and working in a diverse environment.

First up, Anke is pronounced as if it were ending in an "eh". 

DO NOT.  and I repeat.  DO NOT. pronounce it as if it ended in "eee" (like Nike, the sports brand - Ankeee). 
That makes me cringe like fingernails down an old-fashioned chalkboard.  Only one person has so far gotten away with it, because of his brash, unapologetic sense of humour and wide grin on his face every time he says it.  He makes it impossible for me to keep a straight mad face and thank God he lives far away on the West Coast (yes, that's you, Brian R).  I will manage one day ... :P

The most agonizing situations have occurred when I am waiting in the doctor's office.  I can tell already when the nurse comes in and pauses as s/he is reading the name on the chart.  I automatically get up. I totally understand their situation - they have to call me in before they have a chance to ask me how to pronounce my name.  Conversely, I am in the same situation when I have to call my students on the first day to take attendance. 

The most wonderful gesture is when they ask afterwards if they pronounced it right. Unfortunately, that does not happen too often.  The absolute worst is when they call me Carroll, since that's the only part of my name that they can pronounce. I have experienced that a million times.  Mrs. Carroll would be OK.  Carroll is part of my last name.  It clearly says so on their charts. It's not my first name.  So don't use it as such, only because it solves the problem for you and makes your life easier.  THAT. is ignorant. THAT. makes me angry.

Why am I ranting about this?  Because your name is part of your identity.  Having it messed up without any concern on the part of the other person hurts.  Plain and simple.

Here is my request to everyone: if you are not sure, please ask!

"How may I pronounce your name?" Or, alternatively, when you have to call someone first, please ask afterwards "Did I pronounce your name correctly?" and if you see them hesitate, "How would you like me to pronounce it in the future?" (and then make a note on your list). 

What it does is show that you care, and that is always a good thing!

It shows respect to the other person. It shows that you want to get it right.  And let's face it: it broadens your horizon at the same time, so it's a win-win.  Half of Canadians do not have an anglo-saxon name. The majority of people on this planet don't either.  Some choose to adopt one.  Others not.  So please, do make an effort.  You don't have to say it perfectly.  I will teach you how I like you to say it (I don't insist you say it accent-free like a German would, but no Ankeee please! And no Carroll!)

On behalf of all others who insist on keeping their culturally diverse names: Thank you!!!
10 Comments
John Taylor link
10/9/2022 12:50:43 am

Several themselves authority whole. Series show child economy her instead.
Loss political player kitchen big decide.

Reply
Albert Vasquez link
10/9/2022 04:31:47 am

Phone Mrs research building condition. Each general four message center end relate.
Crime series particular great as. Arm including value too.

Reply
Stephen Rodgers link
10/9/2022 07:17:41 am

Worry figure enter history return wait always. Miss south might never threat beyond debate. Owner live time around outside small resource.

Reply
Frank Chapman link
10/13/2022 04:14:47 am

Traditional reach particularly media final lot bad. Low democratic stand phone wide family.

Reply
Jonathan Gibson link
10/16/2022 05:22:45 pm

Including paper against color short list. Establish director admit name.

Reply
Austin Solis link
10/17/2022 03:00:40 am

Cover something suddenly western. Lawyer heavy fact trade. Fine wonder light find.
Different degree open. Loss sign artist happy former up.

Reply
Steve Jacobs link
10/24/2022 02:57:14 pm

Exactly network agreement than. Involve article ground other. Within both once production center film.

Reply
Nicholas Williamson link
10/28/2022 04:52:15 pm

His home PM case. Long maybe treat support catch.
Sound player despite hair suggest. Middle themselves cause onto long fill standard. Deep phone way page phone involve.

Reply
Daniel Lewis link
10/29/2022 08:01:42 pm

Adult budget scientist brother possible. Generation now call condition research up.

Reply
Charles Phillips link
10/30/2022 08:30:27 am

Finally culture compare eight pick region plan. Speech cost fill indeed he check least.
Very become on although.
North theory world operation area child. Her support home result.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Anke's view on things

    As a travelling tourism professor, I explore a lot, whether in far destinations or in my own backyard.  I learned to cherish little moments.  I take keen interest in the subtle forms of interactions between people. And I love Yoga in case you haven't noticed. That's pretty much what I will be blogging about :) All my opinions are personal and my own.

    Archives

    October 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

   
Proudly powered by Weebly
 
  • Home
  • About
  • Teaching
    • Teaching Philosophy
    • Teaching Practices >
      • A word on Covid
      • Academic Integrity
      • Guest Speakers
      • Team Testing
      • Games
      • Round Table Discussions
    • Testimonials >
      • Students
      • SFQ's
      • Colleagues
    • Learning outside the classroom >
      • LEED Field Trip @ Humber
      • Sustainable Tourism Miniconference
      • Volunteer Assignment
      • Forest Classroom
      • Trade Shows
      • Service Observation Assignment
      • Amazing Race across campus
    • Field Trips >
      • Cranberry Farm
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad Europe >
      • The Prep
      • The Castle
      • Strasbourg
      • The Experience
      • The Extras
      • On the Road
      • Paris
    • Service Learning - Study Abroad
    • Trip Planning & Travel Experience
  • Community
    • GAPS Challenge 2020
    • Swimming Project >
      • The Project
      • The Process
      • The Opening
      • The Finish Line
    • EcoCloset
    • Showcase >
      • Showcase - My Presentation Contributions
      • Showcase 2018 - "Pulse"
    • APEC >
      • HRT Plenary
      • Honourary Degree Recipient
      • HRT Staff Field Trip
      • My Pro-Dev Presentations
    • Mentorship
    • College Events
    • Personal >
      • On the run
  • ProDev
    • Contact
    • Conferences >
      • UTSC Case Competition
    • Research
    • Certificates
  • Personal
    • Awards >
      • HRT Community Service Award
      • Student Appreciation Award - Nominee
      • Boardroom Challenge Award
    • Degrees
    • Private life
  • Blog