What to do if colleagues mispronounce your name: psychologist's advice
Your name is often mispronounced - people mix up the accent, swap vowels and consonants. It's not a trivial situation, but it happens from time to time.
The Straits Times asks what to do in this case and whether it is worth paying attention to. Brandon Koh, an industrial psychologist, says that the problem is serious. If others mispronounce someone's name, that person will feel left out and unappreciated, especially if it happens in a workplace.
"Recent studies have shown that such people feel ostracized and their sense of meaningful existence is weakened," adds Dr. Koh, a lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
"And this is not surprising, because a person's sense of self-worth and meaning in life are closely linked to their sense of social inclusion. That's why rejection or ostracism causes a lot of emotional pain."
What do experts advise to do in this case?
Dr. Koh recommends that people politely correct those who spell or pronounce their names incorrectly. In this case, most colleagues are likely to be understanding and want to correct the mistake.
Employees, in turn, should ask about the pronunciation or spelling of names they are unsure of to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
Dr. Koh also advises: "If you have an unusual name, you should demonstrate a simple way to remember how to spell it, such as phonetically, when introducing yourself."
