Kamala Harris and Chappell Roan topped most mispronounced names list in 2024

In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris and pop star Chappell Roan emerged as two of the most discussed figures, both in popular culture and political arenas. Their names were notably mispronounced throughout the year, highlighting a resurgence in public interest towards issues of pronunciation and cultural understanding. According to linguistic expert Esteban Touma, this phenomenon not only reflected their prominence but also included a wider examination of various prominent names and terms that gained popularity or entered the lexicon during this year. The mispronunciation of names can often lead to misunderstandings; therefore, it was especially significant that Chappell Roan, a breakout pop star known for her hit singles such as “Good Luck, Babe!”, was nominated for six Grammy awards this year. Simultaneously, Kamala Harris’s name was mispronounced frequently, which drew attention during her campaign efforts for the presidency. Notably, her great-nieces publicly clarified the correct pronunciation of her name during the Democratic National Convention, emphasizing that her first name is pronounced as ‘COM-a-la.’ The list of mispronounced names and words also included various others that were part of the year’s discussion. For instance, the breed of dog known as the Dutch Kooikerhondje became part of the popular vocabulary, as well as the name of actress Zendaya from the movie “Challengers,” which is often incorrectly pronounced as zen-DIE-uh instead of zen-DAY-a. Moreover, the exoplanet Speculoos-3b made headlines, along with the brand Shein, which is pronounced SHE-in rather than SHEEN. Linguistics experts have commented on the importance of phonetics and pronunciation, especially in the context of cultural dialogue and understanding. Nancy Niedzielski, chair of the linguistics department at Rice University, noted that most words in this list are not English, leading to a tendency for U.S. citizens to mispronounce them. She emphasized that proper pronunciation might simply come down to exposure and familiarity with diverse languages and contexts. As people engage with diverse cultures, the knowledge of correct pronunciations may enhance mutual understanding in communication and create a more inclusive society. The 2024 retrospective serves not only as a reflection on the public figures of the year but also as a reminder of how proper communication plays a crucial role in fostering connections among diverse communities. It showcases how names, often seen as mere labels, encapsulate personal identity and the importance of recognizing and respecting that identity through correct pronunciation.