08-12-2020, 07:10 PM
(08-12-2020, 07:04 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Not going to lie, people pronounce and spell their names differently all the time. I find it ridiculous when it's done because it's someone's name and how they pronounce it is the right way for them. My last name can be pronounced several ways and I have had people try to tell me it's pronounced differently based on the Macedonian city, but because of my family's immigration path they pronounced it differently.
Anyway, trying to tell someone they pronounce they "don't know how to pronounce their own name" is a dick move.
In the context in which you described your name, that makes sense. Also, you're probably many generations removed from your original ancestor with the name who reached the US, I'm assuming, although, assumptions are unsafe. I've heard of many Americans changing their last name (willingly or otherwise) upon reaching the shores of the U.S.
Given the origin of her name and the claim that her name is based on the word lotus, there's one way to say it. The fact she doesn't, is fine, but then again, I can practically guarantee that simply based on her mother's name (Shyamala Gopalan), and how people from the region her mother's from pronounce it, there's one way to pronounce it. Choosing to pronounce your name, how you see fit, I suppose is your right, but I'm nearly certain her mother did not call her "Comma la", but "kuh muh lAh". But as far as me pointing it out being a jerk move, well, if you read my comment where this originated, it was in the context of the irony of claiming Tucker didn't pronounce her name correctly. I'm pointing out that she doesn't pronounce it correctly either. In any other context, it wouldn't have come up. Certainly not on my account.