How do you read aloud a foreign name?

It was said to be a spectacle Mr Donald Trump had made of himself when he pronounced a name from a Middle Eastern language into pieces and put stress on every syllable.

I wonder how English Speakers read a name from an unfamiliar language, especially where to put the accent(s) on?

Question

How do you read aloud a foreign name?

It was said to be a spectacle Mr Donald Trump had made of himself when he pronounced a name from a Middle Eastern language into pieces and put stress on every syllable.

I wonder how English Speakers read a name from an unfamiliar language, especially where to put the accent(s) on?

Answer

Although many English speakers on italki may be able to pronounce names from Middle Eastern languages (which languages is the article referring to?) reasonably well, the typical native English speaker would fare about as well as a typical Chinese speaker…. For that matter, the typical native English speaker probably couldn't pronounce names in French well enough to be understood. Sometimes they try and end up with ridiculous-sounding “hyper-foreignisms”, such as the usual English pronunciation of the “j” in “Beijing” as a French “j”….

Answer

There is a cultural difference here between American English and the rest of the world. Americans will tend to just guess, while Commonwealth English speakers are (by definition) more multicultural so more likely to have experience with such names, and if not, will generally seek the correct pronunciation before attempting it, using a euphemism in the meantime such as "our honoured guest".

Answer

I would say that people will read a name according to the sounds they are familiar with. The more languages and cultures you are familiar with the better you will pronounce a name and or word. 😄

Non perdere l'opportunità di imparare una lingua comodamente da casa tua. Esplora la nostra selezione di insegnanti di lingue esperti e iscriviti subito alla tua prima lezione!