Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I'd like to take a stock of how this conversation went.

1.0 (me) : "It is respectful to attempt pronunciation if possible".

1.1 (you) : "There is a common English pronunciation. It's pretentious if you don't use the common pronunciation. Show respect to the English speaker!"

1.2 (me) : "The common pronunciation exists because of the lack of attempt in the first place. It's not pretentious. "

1.3 (you) : "It is established, we should use common pronunciation"

You turned the initial conversation about making an attempt to be kind and respectful towards non-English speakers into something else. Almost feels like victim blaming to me. Once again, to be clear - we should make an attempt. Just because there's an established pronunciation (or spelling) doesn't mean it is right. Overtime, established pronunciation can move towards the original pronunciation. The right pronunciation is what the speaker wants to have. You, me or the English society don't have any say in it. It doesn't matter if it is established or not. Going the extra mile in kindness helps; calling others pretentious because they ask you to empathise doesn't.




Did you miss where I said:

> you show respect by using that pronunciation when speaking TO NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS.

or

> If I was speaking to someone I knew was Dutch, of course I would (try to) say "København."

Because what you're accusing me of-- and the words you're putting in my mouth "There is a common English pronunciation. It's pretentious if you don't use the common pronunciation. Show respect to the English speaker!"-- make no sense in that context.

German is full of exonyms. All languages are full of exonyms and weird pronunciations of foreign words. It is OK.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: