Why do a lot of Hispanics say their name with a Spanish accent when speaking English?

Because their name is Spanish. Quite simple. If Todd Thompson was in Spain, he would probably say his name "Todd Thompson" in an English accent.

You can't say Fernandez or Rodriguez without correct use of spanish accent (Ro-DREE-guz)

Hmmm, perhaps because if their name is in Spanish, saying it with a Spanish accent is in fact the correct way of saying it. Why would they say it the incorrect way, with an accent of a native English speaker, just to make you more comfortable?

Just a cultural difference. My wife is Spanish and does the same thing. Even worse -- they will translate an anglo's name into Spanish! For instance, Prince Charles is Prince Carlos.

Think of it this way:

You study to learn Italian so that you can go abroad and spend a month in Italy with your wife.

You learn all of the basics, hello, goodbye, thank you, etc.

When you speak with people, you might introduce yourself as "hello, my name is John Smith."

If you were saying this in Italian, you wouldn't change the way you said your name, would you?

You wouldn't say, "hello, my name is Johno Smithiano" because you were speaking in Italian.

Why would you expect people to change the way they say their name?

Well, maybe so. But my wife's name is Maria Teresa and she definitely does not use Spanish vowels and r's when she says it while speaking English. And I know a lot of people with names like Jacques or Hans who don't use French or German accents when they introduce themselves.

what would the difference be between using a german or american accent when saying hans? not much

Goodness gracious, you are an idiot. Is it really that difficult to comprehend?

A man's or woman's name is an important thing. I find it deeply disrespectful to get someone's name wrong. I also find it deeply disrespectful to expect others to change their given names to something easier for us to say.

I have taught a LOT of students over the years, and I make it a point to say their names correctly. I had several Chinese and Vietnamese students who were born here in the US, by parents who had immigrated. I would see names on the role sheets that I could not pronounce correctly the first time. Then they would tell me "oh just call me Angela." But your name is Xueying, how do I pronounce that? Does your mom call you Angela? Angela really appreciated that I learned how to say her name the way her family says it. Another student still insisted I call her Melissa. That's fine. I saw Xueying ~2 years later and she was going by Xueying at school, no longer asking teachers and class mates to call her Angela.

I feel awful if I cannot pronounce a coworker's name correctly, and will ask them to teach me to say it the right way. I worked with a number of Chinese people over the years who, I guess, got tired of correcting people, so they just accept the wrong way to say their names. Then you hear this person talking to another Chinese person in their language and the name sounds different. This bothered me, and I asked them to teach me how to say their names correctly. They all appreciated my efforts, and to the last one were warmer and more helpful to me than most other people in the labs.

Again, a person's name is dear to them and how they say it and want it said should be respected, no matter the cultural differences in pronunciation.

stormy seas wrote:

Well, maybe so. But my wife's name is Maria Teresa and she definitely does not use Spanish vowels and r's when she says it while speaking English. And I know a lot of people with names like Jacques or Hans who don't use French or German accents when they introduce themselves.

How do you say your name when speaking a language other than English?

All good points. They should say their names any way they want. Just curious. I'm sure you must all know people named Rodriguez who don't say it with a Spanish accent. And I've never heard an American born, American English speaking Patrick O'Connor lapse into an Irish accent when saying their name. I've got no problem if they do, just never heard it.

How do you say your name when speaking a language other than English?[/quote]

Well, when I lived in Mexico for 5 years I actually went by the Spanish form of my given name, and I often pronounced by surname with Spanish vowels so people would understand it. But I was speaking Spanish.

I live in Florida. I know plenty of people with Spanish names who pronounce with Spanish accents. Some have immigrated. Others were born here but parents immigrated and it is a mixture among them how they say their names. Of course, I know some lilly white bred blonde hair blue eyed Rodriguezes and Fernandezes, too. Marriage. No accent there.

I imagine by about 3rd generation and on, the accents on names are lost, which would probably explain the lack of Irish lilt on the Patrick O'Connors of the USA.

Guys, the original poster has a legitimate point and I've heard this observation before. Spanish surnames are no different than French, Italian, German, etc. surnames, yet Spanish surnames are the only ones we typically see this with and I think its just a pride thing. My last name is Italian and when said by an Italian speaker it is different than said by an English speaker, but none of my family says it with the appropriate Italian accents.

Also, look at common French last names, like Dupont and Martin. To hear someone speak perfect English and then sign off pronouncing one of these names as a French speaker would, would sound pretty silly.

"common French last names"

Have you ever heard an English speaker pronounce the silent h in Thierry Henry's surname?

It's funnier when they are speaking spanish and say an American name in an American accent mid sentence.

Hoy hablamos con Michael Phelps de los Estados Unidos.

They say the name the way it is pronounced by the person.

People learn pronunciation by imitating the people around them. A lot of our vocabulary is picked up from teachers, friends, co-workers, etc. in addition to family. But your name is one of the first things you hear from your parents, reinforced over and over again before you venture out into the world, and reinforced again whenever you introduce yourself. It's not surprising that that pronunciation sticks around when others are lost.

stop listening to the left on NPR and you don't have to worry about anything

stormy seas wrote:

How do you say your name when speaking a language other than English?

Well, when I lived in Mexico for 5 years I actually went by the Spanish form of my given name, and I often pronounced by surname with Spanish vowels so people would understand it. But I was speaking Spanish.[/quote]

For example, if a guy was named Gerry introduced himself in Spanish, he'd say, "Bueno, me llamo 'Gerry'" and he'd pronounce it "jeri" as it is said in English and not "herri" as those letters would be pronounced in Spanish.

What about Patrick Roy?