Welcoming Different Languages

Connecting for Kids families come from many different countries and speak many different languages at home. Sharing pronouns and name pronunciations helps people who speak different languages to know who they are connecting with.

For example, most English language speakers wouldn’t know that “Ye eun Koh” is a woman’s name, let alone how to pronounce it. Using “Ye eun Koh, /YAY-oon KOH/ (she/her)” makes that clearer.

Avoiding Assumptions

We sometimes make assumptions about a person’s gender identity based on what we see (clothes, hair, mannerisms, etc.). When we create space to share pronouns, we let others know that we are interested in who they really are – not just what they look like.

Demonstrating Respect

Whether they were chosen for us or by us, names are an important part of our identities. Having your name mispronounced can feel like you’re not valued or that you don’t belong.

When we share the pronunciations of our own names, we signal that others are welcome to share theirs – and that we’re committed to putting the effort in to learn them.

How To

• Using Pronunciations

Articles

• If You Don’t Know How to Say Someone’s Name, Just Ask (Harvard Business Review)
• Say My Name: The Importance of Correct Terms, Titles, and Pronunciation (THE)

Websites

• #MyNameIs (by Race Equality Matters)
• Say My Name Project (University of Warwick)

How To

• Using Pronouns

Articles

• A Guide to Gender Identity Terms (NPR)
• LGBTQ Inclusion: A Guide to Using Pronouns at Work (SHRM)
  

Websites

• Pronouns.org