As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and respectful campus environment and as you prepare for students to return and classes to start, we want to share a resource with you.
In today’s connected world, we know it’s crucial to recognize and honor each other’s identities. Sometimes, we don’t realize the ripple effects of seemingly minor actions, like mispronouncing a name or calling someone a non-preferred name, on someone’s experience.
In this Ted Talk, Getting it right; why pronouncing names correctly matters, Gerardo Ochoa discusses the subtle yet profound effects of name mispronunciation. He delves into the four distinct styles of name mispronunciation and sheds light on the often unseen consequences that accompany each. Understanding and appreciating the significance of correctly recognizing and pronouncing someone’s name is a simple and fundamental aspect of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.
Yet, correctly pronouncing unfamiliar names can be challenging. It may be worth considering having students introduce themselves and their preferred name, as opposed to calling roll. This practice has been a recommendation from Dr. Davis during Safe Space Training to be inclusive of our trans students, when their legal name is not their preferred/chosen name.
I encourage you to take the time for this quick listen. Thank you for your continued dedication to student belonging. We wish you the best as you prepare for the new semester!
With gratitude,
Blake Mackesy and Erica Acosta