Your name is not about YOU 

WOW-- the comments on this video have been interesting, to say the least! I did warn you guys that this is a controversial topic. However, now I want to take a minute to clear up some confusion and set some things straight, so please read this BEFORE commenting. 1. No where in this video do I recommend "translating" your name. The two recommendations I gave were 1) adapting the pronunciation of your name so that you can say your name with English sounds and 2) changing your name completely if and when necessary. So, if your name is "Maria" you DO NOT need to translate it to "Mary." However, if this makes you more comfortable, you can absolutely do it. You need to figure out what is best for YOU. 2. When is it necessary to change your name completely? This is a personal topic that each person should decide on their own. For example, if you work at a call center and talk with English speakers all day, you might not want to introduce yourself as Venyamin with a thick Russian accent, because the people you are trying to help won't know how to say your name. Instead, it would be easier to introduce yourself as "Ben" (which, in this case, happens to be the short form of the translated name). 3. Are Americans just LAZY and ENTITLED because they don't say your name the way YOU pronounce it it your native language? Not at all! If people don't possess the ability to make foreign sounds, you can't judge them for that. They literally are incapable of making certain sounds, just as YOU are incapable of making sounds in other languages. 4. Names get adapted all the time-- this is nothing new!! Think of your favorite American celebrities. How do people in YOUR country pronounce their names? I guarantee they do NOT pronounce the names the way I do. They adapt the names based on the sound bank of YOUR language. 5. Some people have asked, "well would English speakers adapt their names when speaking MY language? I doubt it!" And to this I first have to say... who cares?? Do you live your life based on what other people do? I hope not. You should think critically about your actions and the results they will produce, and then do whatever will move you closer to your ultimate goals. Next, I have to say that YES, many English speakers DO change their names based on the languages they speak. In the video, I gave a great example when I explained how I change my name in Spanish from "Stef" to "Estefi." Also, I should mention that the more advanced someone is in a language, the easier they find it to adapt their name to the pronunciation of that language. So, an advanced speaker of your language will be able to adapt their name a lot easier than a beginner who is still learning the sounds of your language. 6. Everything I talked about in this video is nothing new-- especially the part about people changing their actual names. You might not be aware of this, but when foreign students go study in your country, many of them change their name to adapt to your culture and integrate with your society. Just read the comments to find more examples of this. 7. Ren, my husband introduces himself in Spanish, then in English. He says his name is "Renzo" and he pronounces it with the strong R, and then he follows up with "but you can call me Ren." So, even he uses multiple names. I, on the other hand, don't bother introducing the English version of my name when speaking with Spanish speakers. I go right to the Spanish version of my name. That's the only difference between our introductions-- neither of us stubbornly refuses to say our names ONLY as they are in our respective native languages. 8. I find it very ironic that I get HUNDREDS of comments from people saying they want to improve their pronunciation, but the second I make a video saying "let's talk about pronouncing your name with English sounds," a handful of people freak out. I get it-- for many of you, your name and the way it sounds in your language is your identity. Saying it with English pronunciation sounds WRONG. Hopefully, though, you will get more comfortable with the idea over time. When you speak English with people, they need to know what to call you and it's YOUR job to help them find a way to say your name with the sounds they are capable of pronouncing. 9. You can do and believe whatever you want. I am here to share what I've learned after having worked with THOUSANDS of students around the world, having lived in foreign countries myself, having adapted to new societies, etc. I don't take the advice I give lightly, and everything I share is to help YOU succeed with your English. So think twice before commending, and DON'T comment if you plan on writing something xenophobic or rude. I know this is the internet, but I'm a professional and I expect a lot from this community. If my videos don't serve you, there is plenty of content for you to watch outside of this channel. And for those of you who have been loyal subscribers and who think critically about the messages I share, THANK YOU. Thank you for your support and for always sharing such valuable feedback in the comments. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I love when we can discuss controversial topics like this and do it in a diplomatic, respectful way. I hope this video gets people thinking... I hope you consider things you've never considered before. If I didn't challenge you, I wouldn't be doing my job ;) See you in the next video!!

"- So, what is your name? - My name? - Yes, your name. - My name's uvuvwevwevwe onyetenyevwe ugwemubwem ossas."

James Bond in brazil: James: my name is James. Someone: sorry.. what's your name? James: James. Someone: what? James: Tiago Someone: ah, hi Tiago.

-What is your name? -I’m Renzo People from all over the World: Nice to meet you Renzo Americans: Can you say it again?

What i like the most is this lady explaining, "when native speakers say: what's your name?, they mean What should i call you?" then, why not to use this? informal, maybe? but, a lot clearer. So, Hi, I'm Britney Spears -.-

-What should I call you? -Голошубова Виктория Константиновна - ... -Vika

Your diction it's perfect and makes your spoken English very comprehensible! Great video!

I'm from Taiwan, a Chinese speaker. I was told to choose an English name for myself as a kid in English class. I didn't even know why, so when I met international friends, I told them my "English name"(kinda a nickname). One semester passed. They finally knew my Chinese name and they were so surprised and said "OMG why did you lie to us?" Of course in a joking way. But since then, I introduce myself in Chinese name (and people still fail to pronounce it most of the time XD) and then I say my nickname just to make everything easier haha and make sure they know that's my nickname, not my real name. So I guess I still keep my identity in that way🤔😆

I'm Ramon in a portuguese language country where we pronounce it just like Jamón en espanhol. Whenever I found a Spanish speaker I introuduce myself like Rrrrrrrrramon so as to not to be confused with a piece of ham.

I don't like having my name pronounced incorrectly. I understand what you are explaining and I also understand that there are names that are more difficult to pronounce. I always try to learn how a person's name is pronounced. I believe that who should decide how to pronounce his/her name is the person.

I'd never thought about that and now I'll never forget that " what is your name" means " what should I call you". Thank you.

I 100% agree with saying my name with an American accent. I have such long name in Spanish... Estuardo (translated to English is Stuart or Stewart) such name is mostly common in Guatemala so often times I have to repeat my Spanish name even to native Spanish speakers from other countries. Now in English, by introducing myself with an American accent I'm making it so much easier for them to actually pronounce my name correctly. without dwelling on how to say it properly (most of the time). Every now and then I tell people to just call me Stuart just to make things easier.

"My name is blablabla but you can call me daradaradara" I think that's the expression I prefer

I'm a native English speaker(born and raised in Midwest) and I like your videos because it gives me the perspective of learning a language from the other side(currently learning Spanish). While I enjoy your videos, this one rubbed me the wrong way. People shouldn't have to modify their names to make it easier for native English speakers to say. Names have cultural and personal significance and changing it takes away an opportunity for the native English speaker to learn something about you and your culture. I live in a highly diverse area and I've found people appreciate it when I take the time to learn and say their name correctly. The one exception I could see is if someone's name is completely unpronounceable in English. For example, some tonal languages have words/names that will be impossible to say without some training.

I'm an ESL teacher as well, only the names that have a variety of forms in different languages can be pronounced differently: (Matthew, David, Charles) it doesn't mateer if I agree or not with you. There's simply no way to make English forms for native names in my country like Citlalli, Xóchitl, Tonatiuh ir Cuauhtémoc. Not been willing to involve culturally with the speaker is quite racist

Oh, teacher, I agree with you on everything you said, and it was one of the first things I thought when I started to study, really is necessary for everyone to make an arrangement for others can say our name, it's simple and necessary! Who do not agree with you are completely wrong!!

Justin Bieber freaked out when Sabrina Sato called him Jus-chin....

By the way, here in Costa Rica, and I am sure in many other latin american countries, we have no problems whatsoever pronouncing the name Stephanie, or Jennifer or Susan with the stress in the first syllable. We can sound pretty accurate and sometimes without even trying. I'd say there can be exceptions like with chinese names, but let's not underestimate people's ability to learn new words and even new sounds no matter the linguistic background.

Easier if people asked "how can I call you?" instead of "what's your name?". It depends on the circumstances, the environment, the people, the goals, etc., but I usually introduce myself by saying my actual name and adding "(but) you can call me ..." when they give signs of trouble trying to repeat my name or they go straight to "and how can I call you?". We must not underestimate the knowledge, abilities or skills of others. If the conversation is worth the effort, it is worth the effort to know the actual name. The example of the call center is completely different, the person who calls is not interested in the person who answers, but in the service. I watched the whole video and read your entire pinned post. I thank you for making clear the problems regarding the pronunciation of the names and the different suggestions. A great work, as usual! Nevertheless, the subject could be presented or approached slightly differently. Just for the record: i) "It's not about you...", but it's my name! ii) "I find it very ironic that I get HUNDREDS of comments...", if one has taken the time and trouble to learn another language, could they just try to learn a name? As I said "If the conversation is worth the effort, it is worth the effort to know the actual name" and @Scubasteve5022 wrote an excellent comment about it.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is known throughout the planet, and his name was never changed.

HI Stefanie, initially I was a little bit sceptical but what you said in this video convinced me that you are entirely right.

In other words: relax, don't be so stiff, make friends, adapt to your environment and live your life ;)

The best teacher ever !!! It’s sounds make friends you’re more than just a name... and it’s exactly what it is.

While I was studying French, I always had that feeling of: oh crap, can’t they just pronounce my name correctly? That’s my real name, makes no sense change the way it is... but this year I traveled abroad for the first time and I met people from all over the world, and I experienced everything that you said, back there I could understand that what matters is the communication, and even if I wanted, they probably would never be able to pronounce my name correctly! Now I’m way more “open” for this, and it’s really cool to have my name pronounced differently or even have people calling me by first,middle or last name... I feel like I have different personalities 😂 I totally agree with you! It’s something that people should really think about.

I would never translate or change my name completely just so it is more convenient to others, i'm sorry but that's not debatable for me. I forgot to mention, my name is Geizielle, and it sound a bit similar to Gisele, like that famous top model.

I support Enzo 😁 I always use my "Spanish name" with my English speaking friends. Most of time they pronounce it wrong [Án-dres], but I don't expect them to do it perfectly, and it's the same for them: they use their "English names" here in Ecuador and even when my Ecuadorian friends and I can't pronounce them perfectly, we all are ok with it. 😄 Just my opinion.

Thank you coach From Lima-Peru 🇵🇪

Sochen muchahary Best the English coach Very clears speaking English

This video is about identity and that is a controversial thing when you are an inmigrant living in other country! Thanks for sharing your point of view! 🙋

Whoa, this topic is really controversial. The funny thing is I've never thought about that.

Okay, when i changed my name to an English name and introduced myself, ppl said that's not my real name, and they wanted to know my real name. So since then I only introduced myself using my real name, and tried to make it easier to pronounce for an English speaker. Yet, I started to notice an invisible wall between me and some native English speakers. The wall is the fact that, no matter how much I altered the sound of my real name, it just gave away that it's a foreign name immediately and is still hard to pronounce for English speakers. Some names are just like this. It's not I pronounced my name in my mother tone, it's that even if I have already changed it for other ppl's convenience, some ppl still wouldn't bother trying to get a foreigner's name correct.

in México we say "Al lugar que fueres, haz lo que vieres" which basically means that you have to adapt to the other place´s customs.

In my country it's literally midnight But I'm so excited to watch this:)

My name is Gabriela, it is in portuguese, but the BRI it's not easy to be pronounced,.specially for people who speaks English, German, Chinese.. Then, usually people with different languages say it Gabby. It's similar to my nickname in Brazil as well: Gabi. :)

I agree with your husband. I introduce my self with my Brazilian name and of course the call me using their accent.

Interesting topic. I'm a linguist. Well, translating names used to be a common phenomenon in the past because of cultural differences and phonological adaptations to the target language.

Remembers me to the story of Ralph Lifschitz, who was concern of the effects of having the word "shit" in his last name, so he then changed his lastname to Lauren, and later on became the founder of Polo Ralph Lauren.

Sorry I disagree with you I don't think you have to change your name for whatever reason

I spent some time in Ukraine and Russia some time back. My name is "Kathy"....but there is not really a 'th' sound in their language. So, I introduced myself as "Katya" or "Kate"... which my foreign born relatives in the US call me to make it easy for them. I saw my own father struggle with the "th" sound for years. They also called me "Ekaterina" which is the more formal pronunciation of my first name "Katherine". Some tried to pronounce "Kathy " but most just stared at me when I introduced my self that way. LOL. I had to learn while in Ukraine not to use "fast talk" and squish my words together in order to be understood. I would also keep my sentances short and simple. I tried to construct my sentances (in English) in the same order and Grammer structure as in Rusian. It is funny....When i came home my mom had to keep reminding me that she understood me and I did not need to speak that way any longer.

The answer is very simple. First of all, foreigners should introduce themselves with their name pronounced in their native language at the beginning because it is their " real name " and others should know it if they have respect for them ( according to my personal experience and observation to others as well, people even want to know it at first). And immediately after that these foreigners can propose some alternative name more easily pronounceable or recognizable to local people or local people can ask them if it is possible to use a bit more simply pronounceable name in case no other choice is given spontaneously by these foreigners at the first meeting (not always foreigners notice that their own name is difficult to be repeated by others especially if that is their first time abroad) so that the conversation can go more smoothly. The explanation I am writing here is long, however, the action to take is very easy and simple and anybody can do that automatically without thinking too much with " take it easy " attitude each time such an occasion happens to them. The most important thing is a mutual respect. None of both sides should impose their own way to others unilaterally. The proverb " When in Rome, do as the Romans do " can be applied to many cases in life style and customs when living abroad but the name is our own unique identity and a completely indipendent factor from these aspects, so it has nothing to do with what this proverb means. Besides this kind of situation can happen even when two foreign travellers of two different native languages meet up by chance in a country they don't live in. Therefore, we should know how to manage it as a universally common matter wherever we go. By the way, my Japanese name is not always pronounced correctly by foreigners but I introduce myself with my name in my native language at the beginning. To my surprise, some learn it immediately but about 70 - 80 % of people not, therefore as soon as I notice their difficulty, I pronounce it again but this time more slowly and clearly so that they can hear it better and then I tell them " you can call me as you want, as you can pronounce more easily ! " and I accept any name as long as it does not sound too odd. In Italy where I am currently living, I have a special method because the pronunciation of the Italian word " tesoro" (treasure in English) is a bit similar to that of my name. So after my first introduction I point it out to Italian people immediately when I notice difficulty in some of them, then they learn it very quickly because this is their own language word plus the word " tesoro" is used very often in their daily conversation when they call their lover/husband/wife/children etc... whom they are really caring about...( " my dear " or " honey " in English can correspond to this " tesoro ") so they like this idea very much. And after repeating it several times, they come to learn my real name very easily, too. Anyway I noticed also that, unless it is too long and/or complicated, " most people" tend to want to pronounce foreign friends' name as it is naturally pronounced in their own native language after some time of period because they know its importance and want to respect them.

Hi, I am Polish and was living in England for 6 years together with my wife, I wish I knew this topic back then. All English people had big problem to say "Aleksandra" and "Daniel" as we expected to because they pronounced our names completly different. Completly different than we do in polish language. They tried again and again and again but finaly we (me and my wife) had to get used with some akward sounding version of our names. It was exactly the case described in the video. My wife's name spoken by english natives sounded like the male equivalent of her name, what was making my wife realy upset. and when I was introducing myself the reactoion of my interlocutors was always akward and strange for me. I didn't know why back then . Now I know that my pronounciation from Poland sound like "Danielle" and is a women's name. So I froced them to call me by women's name and I didn't know about it . Awsome right? "was my name my identity " ? do not think so. Now I know that we could adapt a little. - I could learn how to pronounce my name in english - My wife could introduce herself as "Ola " polish shortcut of her name we use in Poland daily, or just Alex(in Poland this is male name, but not in England) what a lot of women with the same name do .

Americans are not ”LAZY and ENTITLED” because they ”are incapable of making certain sounds”. They are when they make it seem with that attitude like you owe it to them to adapt it for them so they wouldn't even have to try. (”Your name is not about YOU.” Sure, cause it's about YOU, right?) Otherwise you apparently "haven't traveled *at all* ”. Considering how often Americans on average travel outside their own continent (or even the country for that matter) that sounds particularly hilarious. While making people ”curious as to what your background is” is obviously the worst thing that can happen. And after that you say ”you can't judge them for that” lmao. Oh the hypocrisy. Oh and that's surely the most appropriate reaction to have when you realise you just offended people 3:04 Says a lot about your character I suppose

Hello Stephanie! Congratulations 🎉👏 for this video, well done 👍! Great audio 🎧, I think which is the best video of yours in this technical point. I send you a hug 🤗🙏💐. Happy Sunday wherever you are 💕

I agree with you. I think it's not supposed to be considered offensive if people mispronounce your name, as long as they don't intentionally want to insult your name. For instance, my name is hard to pronounced by foreigners, so I'll take it if they call me Koko, or Lisa (short from my middle name, Elizabeth), or Wardi, my last name.

Finally my amazing teacher is returned back.😍😍😍

I do understand everything that you say. You rock!

Sochen muchahary Best The English coach Speak is beautiful

I'm Brazilian and i speak Portuguese, but my name's got such an interesting pronunciation in English, so no problem to me. I even believe it's popular in English speaking countries but i'm not so sure.

This lesson was very useful! And I enjoyed this very much, especially the different opinions she and her husband had about adapting the pronunciation of your name or changing it for English native speakers.

It s hilarious. How should you call me? Using my name. I call you using your own despite english is not my language. Is it a problem? No it s not at all. People freak out cause some of them can not pronounce the r sound? Then what? They can try to be a little bit open minded. I have friends from all over and never thought to translate their names into my own language and sometimes it s not even possible. And then a name is charming, it has its own history related to a specific people and culture. It can be an occasion to learn something which is never a bad idea. Then if pronouncing somebody’ s name can be somehow hard, just try and say I am sorry if my spellinng is not properly perfect but I will improve it. It shows that you are smart. Even this attitude is a clear will of sharing something. If you are really unable to do that, listen, calling me or who ever has got a name which is a little bit unusual for you, is the last of your problem at this point. Go outside more often and if you can, try to travel more or just keep spending your name with people of your country with very native names so you can avoid “awkward” situations.

You're absolutely right!

I agree with your husband. I don't want to be nice for some random people and to lose my identity becouse he or she can't pronounce some sound. English and the us isn't a center of the Universe, there are many languages and cultures and we must respect them and try to understand them.

I am a big fan of your accent😍😍

I say, "Hi, I'm Jungho but call me J(Jay) or J.K." I never made an English name for myself because my American friends said, "Nooooo, you do not look like Dave(or whatever). Just teach me how to say your name. It's so cool" These days, I ended up saying "call me J" because I understand what your videos is all about. It's funny tho..none of my American friends suggested me to make an English name but now I'm back in Korea and here, people like me to have an English name. So, here, I say...call me Charles. Hahahahahahha

You right, name is just name

I think it's rude for people to ask questions regarding the “name” of a foreigner and expect that person to respond in the local language. Because why should people twist their first name given at birth by their family just to fit the expectation of a stranger? My approach is to say the name in Mandarin and add one sentence: “but you can call me ***”.

I completely agree with you🤗my name is “shaghayegh” but It’s not easy for english people to say it, so I introduce my self “shaggy” and they can easily pronounce it🤓 Thanks for this video❤️

Hello Stefanie☺ I am so glad to hear that American accent. I always try to share your video with my friends. Greetings from Guatemala.

My name is Humberto Jorge. I only use Humberto in Brazil. When I go to America, I often introduce myself as George. It works perfectly. Before, I almost had to spell my name: H - U -M - B - E - R - T - O. I think the best way is to adapt and facilitate interactions. Fun Facts: At Starbucks, we have to say our name to the attendant and I like to invent a different name each day. I was once Bob, George, Robert and so on.

Great video! My name is Alessandra. I moved to the USA 10 years ago. I used to introduce myself as “I’m Ale”. Beer!!! After 10 years here, I finally learned to introduce myself as “ Allie”

I totally desagree, just because English speakers dont do it like this.

Question: Will the same rule of thumb apply when US people say their names in their host countries???

I agree with you. I've been learning Spanish for years and have altered my name so they can pronounce.

i really enjoy a lot all the tips that you do¡ for me you are the best beautiful english teacher i have ever seen¡¡

I start love you from the first video I watched with you. I'm so exciting from your voice! You are TOP #1. I subscribed and will follow your lessons and advice in order to improve my reading/listening/speaking skills. Yesterday I started watch your videos and I couldn't stop, it's impossible to stop :) Hello from Ukraine ;)

I lived in Vancouver for one year! I actually adopted an English name to make the things easier by all means! My name is Jonathas (very common in Brazil) but I used to introduce myself as John 😁

Our names meaning a lot for our personality , we can't change them just like that . If you can't spell them just whistle , i prefere that

Agree to disagree? Japanese people for example, have a hard time pronouncing english sounds, but I honestly doubt any native would change a bit about their name when introducing themselves for a japanese friend. And I believe anyone is able to learn a new phoneme, if you bother to repeat a few times for them, it's always a fun thing teaching your name to someone who doesn't speak your language (I've never had the pleasure, my name is pretty standard on US, UK and even Greece or any country with latin influence) but I always love to learn new sounds like a girl named Evgenia I met once, russian sounds are totally outside my confort zone being brazilian from an italian family and having a half-sister that has a japanese father, and speaking french and english, maybe this crazy mix of knowledge of Spanish,Portuguese,Italian,French (which are arguably extremely similar due to origin) added to the later inclusion of english and isolated phonemes of japanese (that again to be fair are extremely simple, cuz the same way as portuguese EVERYTHING is said the same way it's written, no exceptions) but I can see how it could be difficulty to a native english speaker to nail some words due to how different vowels are said, and you speaking spanish too, probably know exactly why and how.

How could people dislike this video while she's just trying to help us? Argh. Loved your video as always, keep doing this great work. :)

My names is Rogério, but you can call me Roger.

Parabem suas pronúncias são muito valiosas muto bom de ouvir se grava rapidamente exelemte parabem to very good

I understand your point but honestly I see it better when people start to learn each other's names the way they are and it's ok to twist it a bit according to their language if that makes it easier for them, I'd rather have that than make it my problem thinking of how should I change my name each time I introduce myself to someone who speaks another language. And I don't find it awkward at all repeating my name to them more than once till they get it

5:45 good one, but here in Brasil u can say your name, and they will call u right ;)

Hey Stef, I just ran into your channel and i liked it very much. At first I thought you were going to give this video a colonialist perspective, but after you gave the example of Argentinian people struggling to call you by your name, it all made a lot more sense. And I was very impressed by the fact that you have a very native-like command of the aspirated 's' which is very typical from rioplatense Spanish. Congrats on your content and keep up the good work.

Your speaking is very nice, and you are a very beautiful teacher.

English speaking American here. I think this really depends on *how* difficult your name is to pronounce. For example, if a Spanish speaker introduced himself as Juan instead of John, I’d have no problem with that. I have a Mexican friend named Carlos, and I’ve always called him Carlos, not Carl. I think people are more comfortable with names that are common in neighboring countries. For example, we Americans often hear Spanish names because we’re right next to Mexico. I would assume that would be the same for, say Korean names in China, but correct me if I’m wrong. It’s also worth noting that I think it depends on how many syllables your name is. My name is Nicholas, but even to other Americans I introduce myself as Nick because it’s a lot simpler to say. I have an Indian friend named Yugandhar. That’s three syllables. So he shortened it to Yogi, which technically is still an Indian name, but more people can pronounce it, and I still call him Yogi to this day. And of course it also helps that every American has heard of Yogi Bear. When he introduces himself, he says, “My name is Yugandhar, but you can call me Yogi, like the bear!”

That's totally true. When I said to americans my name, Clayton, with my brazilian accent, nobody understood me. But a friend told me how to pronounce like Americans speaks. Since then, everybody understands me..

how about: Carlos Sanchez de la cruz Rodrigez Martinez Lopez

Dead right. My name is Oleg, I'm Russian, but when I lived in English familey for a while, the children kept calling me LEGO! Like the famous erector set... And now I understand why! The top point is - if you want to make people feel comfortable, it is a good option to even think up a new name... You may say that your real name is ....but you understand that it is not easy for them to remember and use, so you don't mind if they call you.... I used to be Derek. The same thing with your second name or your family name. I adapted mine from Miroshnichenko to Miro. Derek Miro.

Good content we are being benifited to through this vedio and lots of knowledge I get from this vedio, I would like to more vedio u will share us and defrent topic which always helps me ous daily life thanks

1000% agree with you! I have been discussing the same issue with my friends since I have started my first English lesson! lol ... Say your name how they will pronounce it! You will make a favor to everybody.

but some people get offended when you cant pronounce their names properly.

That’s only an American problem. I’m German and you would come to me like „Hey my name is Mary“ I would not ask „Excuse me, could you repeat it?“ (in German Mary is Marie. It’s pronounced different) I would just say Mary. Like where’s the problem.

Thank you so much ...... good lessons learned for me. Since my last name start with "NGUYEN" and my first name is "TUOC ". To make it short and easy I choose TJ (Tuoc + my sant name Joseph = TJ) .... Everybody HAPPY..

it's been a long time, welcome back. "in the right time😍"

I agree 100% with you. When I travel overseas I introduce myself as George, just to be polite with people. Good to see you back, miss

Never adapt the pronounciation of your name to another language just because of you are learning the language or your are the one abroad. Just say and teach them how you wanted to be called. You have this right. You deserve this respect. I traveled all around the world, met many people, noone will change the pronounciation of their name just because of your language is different. Hey Stef. Could you please upload a video how to pronounce your name in every language all around world? This is what you claim. Here is an international platform and you shluld do it if you are genuie.

Well there's a interesting fact in this, I'm the 2014 world cup an English reporter asked something to the Colombian player James Rodriguez and this guy said his name in the English way and James answered "excuse that's not my name, muy name is and then he said it in Spanish way"

So when an English person introduces himself to say an Indian how does he say his name ? Absolutely rubbish take dear lady. You just say your name the way you were named which ever language that is.End of story.!!

For me it’s easy to introduce because my name is Sarah, so I don’t need to change my name. But, for other people, it can be hard, for example: my sister’s name is Soraia, and there is no translation for that, so every time she introduces herself she has to teach some people how to say her name

I totally agree with you. Actually yesterday we were having this conversation at work, where the office staff is purely anglophone and the field one’s split between Anglo and Hispanic Americans. Though we generally get along very well, there would be some misunderstandings starting with name’s mispronunciation. Obviously because there are different ways to pronounce them according to the language of the speakers.

Loved this video, thank you for your insight.

I came across to your channel few weeks ago since then it became my favorite english channel because of your clear voice and perfect dictation . Greetings from salt lake city, utah

I used to introduce myself with my name 'Alejandro' on english accent when I worked at a call center. Many girls said it was a sexy name which sometimes it was a little uncomfortable. Then I changed it for 'Alex' and few customers asked me if I was a man or woman . (;_;)

I have just the video and totally agree with you, The English Coach.

A subtler point about this whole topic is the following: If I can't say your name or make the sound or feel insecure or self-conscious, YOU might feel slightly disrespected (or at least that's what I'm projecting). Asking what can I "call" you is a way of "translating respect" into MY language so our conversation can go more smoothly. In a roundabout way, I'm really asking you to help me respect you from here on out.

When I went to the hospital, they asked my name, and I told them: My name's PAPI CHULO.

Bienvenida de nuevo Estefani o Stefania, si lo prefieres, My name is Luca, in English could be Luke or Lucas, not much difference. I never had any problem with other English speaking people understanding my name. Easy to pronounce and to remember. I, too, noticed that Asian persons usually adopt an English name in business environments. I had, for many years, an agent in Hong Kong. I called him Johnny or Mr. Pang and never knew his real Chinese first name.

Thanks for your best advices teacher it's really works for me and I love it.

Why to settle with the expectations of a stranger? My teacher tried to learn the pronunciation of my name just because he wanted to know me and my culture better. Not trying to put an effort to pronounce someone's name correctly is simply an insult to their culture. If we non-native speakers put an effort to say your name correctly, the expectations are that you would do the same. Otherwise why would I bother calling you by your name even? I can just call you peanut butter jelly fish and that sorts everything. Calling or at least giving an effort to pronounce the name correctly is a sign of respect towards that person, especially if you are meeting the person for the first time! Name is a heritage, something people of some culture cherish and feel proud of being associated with.