Mispronunciations in Focus
New York City’s Mayor-elect, Zoran Mamdani, is gaining attention—not just for his controversial electoral win but also for his frequently mispronounced name. Recently, it was highlighted as one of the most common mispronunciations of the year.
Now, even though his name is becoming more familiar, issues with pronunciation linger. A recent survey from a language learning company, Babel, pointed out that while many are saying “zo-rahn mam-dah-nee,” the common mistake has been mixing up the “m” and “n” in his last name. This suggests that even with fame, some things still slip through the cracks.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only instance of miscommunication in popular culture. Notably, the Louvre, following a high-profile jewelry theft, is also facing mispronunciation challenges according to the same list. The company recommends the proper pronunciation of the Louvre as “LOOV-ruh,” with a slight accent on the “roo.”
In a viral moment during the campaign, Mamdani boldly stated, “My name is Mamdani. I’m Mamdani. You better learn how to say it because you have to say it correctly.” It’s a reminder, I suppose, of how important names are to our identity, and maybe how often we overlook that.
Alongside Mamdani, other names have also made waves. For instance, “acetaminophen,” pronounced “SEE-tuh-MIH-nuh-fen,” has confused many, even popping up in public discourse due to its associations with health warnings. On a more somber note, there’s Alex Murdaugh, the convicted murderer whose name is often mispronounced. His is said as “Al-ik-mar-dock,” not the common “Mah-Dew.” It’s a strange context to find oneself discussing names that carry so much weight.
Weight loss drug Mounjaro has also been added to this list of challenging words, pronounced “Mounjaro-OH.” It’s interesting how language evolves and how we adapt—and sometimes struggle—with names or terms that originated from different cultures.
With language, it seems we’re all quite capable of stumbling, whether it’s out of sheer unfamiliarity or fleeting attention. After all, it’s part of being human—getting things right, and sometimes not so much.
