Have you ever found yourself tasked with introducing a speaker or dignitary before they step onto the stage to deliver a speech or receive an award? The pressure to “get it right” in these situations can be overwhelming when all eyes are on you. It is especially nerve-wracking when you are faced with names or phrases that are difficult to pronounce—something many of us can relate to.
Take Vice President Kamala Harris, for example. Despite her nieces demonstrating how to pronounce her name during the Democratic National Convention—“Kama” like “comma” and “La” like “La La La”—mispronunciations still occur. It’s a common and often awkward scenario that reminds us of the importance of getting names right.
OK, My Name Is A Mouthful.
I can relate to this struggle. My name, Eleni Kelakos, can trip up even the most prepared speakers. It is a mouthful (except in Greece, where it originates). I’ve stood nervously offstage, wincing as a host stumbles over it, even after I’ve gone out of my way to provide a phonetic spelling: “Eh-LAY-knee Keh-LAH-kohss.” Their embarrassment and deeply apologetic tone when they acknowledge it, while I do appreciate it, does not exactly create the ideal first impression for my audience.
It’s Appreciated When You Try…
I understand that names can be challenging. When someone makes a clear effort to pronounce my name correctly and is truly trying their best, I appreciate it. I can usually tell when an introducer has rehearsed because they’ll express their concerns: “I’m worried I’m going to get your name wrong. Can you tell me if I’m saying it right?” If they mispronounce it while practicing, I gently correct them and encourage them to try it again. If nerves take over during the actual introduction on stage, I can forgive that—they at least tried.
…Not So Appreciated When You Don’t Try
On the other hand, I find it frustrating when someone mispronounces my name simply because they didn’t take the time to learn it. As both an introducer and a speaker, I know how crucial it is to get names right when you are in front of an audience. Here are four steps to help you do just that:
4 Steps to Get An Introduction Right
- Ask the person you’re introducing for a brief, written introduction at least a week before the event. This gives you time to familiarize yourself with it.
- If you’re unsure about how to pronounce the speaker’s name or any tricky words in the introduction, reach out ahead of time to learn how to say it correctly. The time to do this is not the minute before you step onto the stage; you should do this a week or so in advance so that you can practice. Ask them to write it out phonetically for you, or ask for a recording of them saying it so that you can listen to it until you get it.
- Practice a name or tricky words until you feel comfortable pronouncing them.
- Once you’ve mastered the name or words that gave you trouble, practice the full introduction several times out loud until it sounds smooth and clear.
Taking these steps will not only boost your confidence and verbal fluidity but also allow you to honor both the audience and the speaker you’re introducing. It sets a positive, professional tone for the event, ensuring everyone feels respected and valued.
Need help preparing to host an event, give a pitch, or deliver a presentation? Let’s talk!
Eleni Kelakos, CSP The Speaker Whisperer®