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Professor Asks Student To Anglicize Her Name Because ‘It Sounds Like An Insult In English’, Gets Suspended Instead
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Professor Asks Student To Anglicize Her Name Because ‘It Sounds Like An Insult In English’, Gets Suspended Instead

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Having a name that’s difficult to pronounce in English has its challenges. It means a lot of awkward mispronunciations, nicknames, and hurried apologies. Trust me, I know. However, just because somebody has a foreign name is no reason to ask them to change it.

Vietnamese student Phuc Bui Diem Nguyen says she became the victim of discrimination when a professor from Laney College in Oakland, California told her to “Anglicize” her name. The reason? Mathematics professor Matthew Hubbard believed that freshman Phuc Bui’s name sounded like an insult in English—‘f*** boy.’

The student’s sister shared the email exchange that happened between her and the professor on Instagram and it went viral. According to The New York Times, professor Hubbard was put on leave soon after the emails were made public.

A math professor from Laney College in Oakland, California, was suspended after he asked a Vietnamese student to “Anglicize” her name

Image credits: diemquyynh

Image credits: diemquyynh

Image credits: diemquyynh

The student’s sister made the emails sent by the professor public on her Instagram account

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The community college released an official statement

Image credits: diemquyynh

The first email exchange between Hubbard and Phuc Bui happened on Wednesday, June 17. Phuc Bui explicitly told her math professor that she would file a complaint with the community college’s Title IX office if he couldn’t call her by her real name.

President of Laney College, Tammeil Gilkerson, called the incident “disturbing” in a statement released on Thursday. According to her, the professor was placed on administrative leave while an investigation is being conducted.

“While our mission has been bold and unrelenting, we also recognize that our college and its community is a reflection of broader society, and we must actively fight ignorance with education. We do not tolerate racism, discrimination, or oppression of any kind,” Gilkerson said.

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Laney College has a large Asian student population. 16k students study at this Oakland community college and 29 percent of them are of Asian descent.

Phuc Bui said in a Zoom interview with KGO-TV on Friday that she used to go by her nickname—May. However, after years and years of using this nickname, she wanted to use her real name which means “happiness blessing.” She added that when she had been unaware of what the word “Anglicize” meant until she asked her friend what it meant after she received the email from her professor.

The professor apologized on Saturday

On Saturday, Hubbard apologized on his Twitter account which has since been deleted. “I apologize for my insensitive actions which caused pain and anger to my student, and which have now caused pain and anger to an untold number of people who read my two inappropriate emails on the Internet,” he wrote in his apology.

He admitted to The New York Times that sending out those emails was a mistake and added that there were two people in his online trigonometry class with the last name Nguyen. Since the other person with the same surname changed their online name, Hubbard said that he thought he’d ask Phuc Bui to do the same.

“The first email was a mistake, and I made it thinking about another student willing to Anglicize. But it’s a big difference with someone doing it voluntarily and asking someone to do it. The second email is very offensive, and if I had waited eight hours, I would’ve written something very different,” he said.

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Here’s how people reacted to the incident

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Some people said that the professor had a point, even though he handled things very, very badly

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

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Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Hey pandas, what do you think?
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dutchvanzandt avatar
Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have asked the student what they prefer to be called as they have four names- if we had a middle name on the class register, our teachers would not refer to us by our whole name. If I was unfamiliar with the name, I would ask them to pronounce it- I have a huge PET PEEVE about names being mis-pronounced.

leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have the same pet peeve. When I meet someone with a name that can be pronounced multiple ways (like mine /less lee/ vs lez lee/) or a name I've never heard, I ask them to pronounce it as I write it down phonetically! To tell the student to pick a new name without even knowing the correct pronunciation is just really lazy AND rude.

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leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if Laney ever has in-service training for instructors. This seems like the kind of thing that would/should be covered in a diversity/cultural sensitivity class. If not, it sounds like they REALLY need to implement something. I mean, lots of corporations have classes like these for employees. Not universities? And I'm not talking about quashing feee speech, just providing instructors with tools for dealing with a challenge like student-has-a-weird-name. They probably have to take sexual harassment training, right? I truly hope that Laney will work with Hubbard (and other instructors) to educate and implement best practices rather than firing him. His apology seemed legit to me, so maybe he'd be open to a training. It's much more helpful to open the discussion in a situation like this, and come to a greater understanding than to can anyone who seems clueless. If someone REFUSES to learn a different way, then fire their a*s! Why am I feeling like I'm going to get downvotes for this?

christophebeunens avatar
Christophe Beunens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live in an international world, so it should be rather normal to ask somebody how the name is pronounced. A French colleague is called Aglae (A - Gla - E). She is called by some people Algue or even Ugly...

cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend's name is Welsh -- Aneurin, pronounced "an-EYE-run." He goes by "Annie" and when people respond like idiots, he tells them his name and they usually get over themselves.

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amcgregor7419 avatar
Al Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how the Professor was offended enough by a name to ask him to change it, yet used actual swearwords in an email to him.

pooja-yogananth avatar
dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I looked it up and according to a person who speaks the language it's not meant to be pronounced with an uck sound but ook and the ending is softer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_n4aDs6qo

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florapolvado avatar
Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked with a young woman whose name I just could not pronounce. Not once in the 6 months I worked with her. It never even occurred to me to ask her to simplify or Anglicize. I figured if the owner of the name wants to do that , they will let you know

anitac_ avatar
Mme de Poppadom
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's super common for people in business/academic world to include a phonetic pronunciation of their name in their email signature. Very grateful to those who enlighten others like this. Who hasn't had their name butchered at one point?

leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen that, but not enough! That would actually be a great addition to a business card! I'm going to see about using it! (My married name gets slaughtered)

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wh4ok avatar
Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never even thought twice about changing my name to Ali when I spend time in Iran. My wife also has an English and Iranian name. So I can see the professor's point of view (and our names aren't rude, just difficult for the locals). But he could have dealt with it much more sensitively.

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it is your own choice it is lightyears away from being more or less ordered to do it. It also sounds as though it is an active wish, on your part, to blend in - when you are there, which means that it is not where you live permanently. Racism and xenophobia are everywhere, in all societies, and pressure on newer residents/citizens to change their names according to what is more common must be just about the most common form of pressure to integrate there is in the world.

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pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Multi-ethnic, multi-lingual person here, who's worked & lived in France, USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. I also have a B. Languages. I have had MANY instances where a name in one language sounds offensive in another (Connor in english, sounds EXACTLY like "arsehole" in french. Not similar. Identical. "Deb" (Deborah) means "fat" in Japanese). HOWEVER.... there are MANY polite ways to discuss this matter with someone, if their name LITERALLY sounds offensive. HOWEVER... if it sounds "similar"... just learn how to pronounce their name CORRECTLY!!!!! If they want to keep their offensive-sounding name in whatever language - let them!! IT IS THEIR NAME. Knew a british guy Connor, who had no idea what his name meant in french, & was complaining about the local French laughing whenever he introduced himself. Once I explained, he was mortified, & HE chose to go by his middle-name while in France. Outside of France, he went by Connor, and our French friends in the UK dealt with it perfectly fine.

ayelet-cooper avatar
alwaysMispelled
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the comment by the sister it sounds like the student went by a different name in high school, so why not continue with that name? The professor definitely could have made a better request, and clearly the second email was waaaay out of line, but I don't think I would have filed a Title IX complaint, I would have just thought the professor was an a*****e. PS, I have a name that is difficult to pronounce in English, and people have constantly mispronounced it and misspelled it my entire life. AND I have been asked to go by an "easier" name. But I UNDERSTAND that it's difficult. I'm actually pretty self-conscious about it.

leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sister brought that up in the context that her sister is happy and proud to use her given name now that she's escaped the childishness of high school. So having an instructor behave in a childish, ignorant manner may have made this EVEN MORE upsetting to her.

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bruno_mruzin avatar
Beh Pnkt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all the Phuc Buis out there: you are all phucing amazing!

krois-pe-el avatar
Slune
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Vietnamese pronunciation is soooo difficult for me, that I needed full two days to get " How are you doing?" out the way people are understanding. When seeing a text, thinking: seems to be easy for me, it's like French.......Ha, noooo they doing it the Vietnamese way. TAM BIET:)))

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cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Anglicize" -- idiotic from any angle, professor. How about asking the student F2F how she prefers to be called on, and then go with that?

aerylbailey avatar
Gilda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone just needs to remember different languages are different languages there are only so many sounds a human can make and words will have different meanings in different tongues in German to drive is to fahrt and its said like fart but I won't refuse to say it this dude really needs to grow up and realize we don't have a monopoly on sounds there are probably some words in English that mean something offensive where this student is from

maliceevil avatar
Malice Evil
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tough this probably will be an unpopular opinion, i kinda see the teacher's point in this, people can and will be cruel for no reason, and having a weird sounding name may cause people to ridicule her. However i think that there were more diplomatic ways to handle this, like ask her how she prefers to be called, use the family name, or just miss.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My surname also sounds a bit like a bad word in Korean. Didn't change it, I laugh it off. But, honestly, I'm not often in situations where it gets noticed.

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to college in Mexico with a guy named Dennis (6'2" and well built). He had all the professors call him Hector, because in Spanish his name was pronounced "Denise". Talk about insecurity.

kevinperry_2 avatar
okpkpkp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k Buoy. I looked it up and it took about 20 seconds.

sb256003 avatar
Stevie B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those that would like to know how to pronounce it correctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDctYTMJWNE

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for those interested, it's actually pronounced "f**k boo-ee". :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDctYTMJWNE

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend Siobhan (Sha-vorn, phonetically, for her). It's an Irish name. She was dark-haired and pale skin. The number of times it was said wrong (including myself when I first met her at work with her name tag), was constant. I took the time to learn how to pronounce it properly, and the history / origin of the name. Took maybe 1 minute to learn the sounds, about 5 minutes to learn the history, and many a bottle-of-wine to sympathise with her ongoing frustration. EFFORT to learn something new is a choice - and is actually pretty easy for those who aren't lazy arses like this teacher.

caseymcalister avatar
Casey McAlister
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, he had no business asking her to change her name, but her filing a complaint instead of saying "no" is a bit of overreaction. She may be Phuc Bai, but deep down she is Karen.

cookie avatar
Cookie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it does not sound like fk boy. That's what ignorant White people think - that other languages are pronounced like White language (his language). The whole world is supposed to revolve around him, he thinks. Good for the college for suspending him.

wallicktn avatar
Tracy Wallick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many ways he could have gone about this-- asking how it's pronounced, asking her for a nickname, calling her Ms/Mx. Nguyen, etc. Anything would have been better than asking her to Anglicize it and doubling down when she informed him that his request was racist.

bevinchu avatar
Bevin Chu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should the teacher have insisted that the student change his name? NO! The student has no obligation to change his name. But it might have been wise of him to ask others to refer to him by his initials to avoid hassles. His choice of course. Whatever he can live with.

vernwall avatar
Jewels Vern
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is entirely normal for people to adopt a name that is easily pronounceable to people they associate with.

annarepp avatar
Anna Repp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, he did not even ask how the name is pronounced, he just assumed? I guess he never met anyone named, say Sean, who's name sounds not at all like it is written? And to those saying he might have had good intentions and wanted to help her avoid being bullied - he should have ASKED HER FIRST! Tell her that he knows how students can be mean about other's names, and if she wanted any help with that. Ugh!

gmadams avatar
Blackheart
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an educator, you ask a student what name they would like you to use to refer to them. As long as it is reasonable (and not some joke like "Master of the Universe") do it. If the student told him to use her name as is, the professor should have used her name as is. However, and from what I read this is not the case, if the student just filed a complaint without discussing it with the professor it would be on the student then.

fredericeeckman avatar
frederic eeckman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it annoying how they always apologize when the s**t hits the fan ? I mean, it sounded so unsincere that no apology was probably even better...

sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see his point, but it was poorly delivered. Instead of insisting she changed it he should have just pointed out to be weary that others will likely mispronounce her name and maybe even bully her. His delivery sucked

breefawk avatar
OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His point is that it makes HIM uncomfortable. That's not her problem. He needs to get over it and try to learn how to sat her name.

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kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, the teacher is an insensitive lout. But the student could have just said no instead of immediately going for the " I'm offended " publicity.

breefawk avatar
OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think he's the first? Also, he's a teacher. He should be comfortable with asking how to pronounce a person's name and to know you shouldn't ask someone to change their name because it's hard for YOU. It's at least microaggression to make someone or ask someone to change their name to make you feel better.

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rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had coworkers from China that adopted an English name when they immigrated, probably to avoid this possibility.

katfinzim avatar
Kathryn Zimmerman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had an issue years ago with a receptionist named Vajaya. "Good Afternoon, you've reached [Company Name], this Vajaya speaking" wasn't going over well with clients. She was a lovely Indian-American woman. Eventually, we just asked her to stop introducing herself.

bytute avatar
Jovita A
Community Member
3 years ago

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Well,he could just use last name (as he should use last name) and avoid all the trouble..

cebenspe avatar
Solrac
Community Member
3 years ago

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Maybe the teacher made a mistake, but now it seems everything is discriminatory to some students. College culture in so many aspects has become very sensitive, cancel culture is really toxic.

breefawk avatar
OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Telling someone to change their name because if offends you, is a you problem. Not a them problem. The fact that he doubled down while using actual cuss words is a big problem. It's ignorant at best to think someone should change their name to make it easier for you.

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Roland Trego
Community Member
3 years ago

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I don't think it is wrong to alert her that others might pronounce her name in a way which may cause snickers or result in her being the object of derision. If I were living in another country, I would want someone to tell me that. I've had students with names such as 'F*k Yu' and 'Hung Long'. No, in their native languages the names weren't pronounced as an English speaker might imagine. If you use your name in another country, the locals will pronounce it using sounds from their language that most closely approximate what they hear. There's a reason why advertising firms who want to sell a product in a foreign market hire local firms. A word in one language with no negative connotations or denotations may be stigmatized in another. It is up to the student, not the teacher, to decide whether she wishes to modify the pronunciation or even go by another name. Tell her to change her name? Misguided. Make her aware? Absolutely.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think she graduated high school in the US. Fairly sure she is perfectly well aware of how her name may be mispronounced.

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Rose the Cook
Community Member
3 years ago

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All my Chinese students come with an English name they have adopted at a younger age. I hope this was their own choice, but if anyone wanted to be called by their Chinese given name I would be happy to do so. The professor here handled the situation very badly but the student appears to be taking advantage of the current political atmosphere too.

saderman avatar
Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Taking advantage?” Every human has a name, and it’s nobody’s business to ask them to change it. The professor was an a**e!

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dev mehta
Community Member
3 years ago

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The Professor has a point.Requesting to adopt a nickname does not make him a bad guy. In English, the students name DOES sound like a curse word.

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Nia Loves Art
Community Member
3 years ago

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The professor was wrong to request that Phuc Bui change her name, but personally if my name was Phuc Bui I probably wouldn’t need any prompting to do that.

jamieagl avatar
Thenatural
Community Member
3 years ago

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When I worked in Turkmenistan I was asked to 'turk' my name as it meant' A**e raping spunk junkie' in the local dialect......my names Ian by the way

christmas avatar
Chris Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Er.. does it? Looking it up doesn't bring that up at all. Have I misunderstood somehow?

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago

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I think the initial request is mildly insensitive, but not worthy of suspension. However, the follow up email doubles down. Frankly it's not rude to ask someone to change their name to accommodate others.

deb_14 avatar
Carrie de Luka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But why should they accommodate others? It's a different language. Does intent not matter anymore? No-one is intending it to be an offensive word. I could say 'Hi my name is D**k'. Not offensive. I could say 'You are a d**k' which is offensive. (Apologies - it's just an example and I do NOT think you are a d**k!) It's expecting people to consider things only from an english speaking perspective which is bloody arrogant surely? I do think that maybe a meeting could have taken place to find out how to pronounce the name first and maybe it would have avoided a lot of unpleasantness. If the professor then persisted in thinking a name change was remotely appropriate then he's the d**k.

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luisgvillarrealg_1 avatar
Luis
Community Member
3 years ago

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What? The teacher is giving him an advice to avoid he to get bully and get offended? I'm agree the teacher could express in a better way, explain a little bit more but is not something to get offended or make a teacher lost his job! My friend his last name is Ballines, and in English sound like "Vagina" just to avoid embarrassing him self when he get called, do not use it!

truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

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I think if she wants to constantly have people call her "F**k Boy" and deal with the cultural fallout from that, ie, no Starbucks barista is going to put that on a cup, people thinking her name is a prank, then it's her choice to do so. Conformity to a point is useful, but forced conformity should not ever be part of a healthy liberal society.

chris-watson-73113528 avatar
Chris Watson
Community Member
3 years ago

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So what?!!! Seriously. "F**k boy",is the English pronunciation And yes, foreigners should respect our language. Change your horrible name, Or be prepared for teasing and jokes

tylerduffy avatar
Tyler Duffy
Community Member
3 years ago

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I don't think there's anything wrong with "asking" if they would mind doing so. But you can't order them to.

orders_4 avatar
Liam Walsh
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As he asked twice and very bluntly it does come across more as a demand couched as a request really. Still don't understand why the man wouldn't at least find out how it's pronounced first - it doesn't sound like f**k but more like f**k. If I can find an online 'tutorial' on how to pronounce it then so could the professor - or even, shockingly, have checked with the student.

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elia84631 avatar
elia 84631
Community Member
3 years ago

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How about the common greek subname sufflix -poulos. Maybe it sounds a bit offensive to me, but who cares?

wh4ok avatar
Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does poulos sound offensive? I'm not able to make a rude word out of it, but I might not be trying hard enough!

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Rebecca Schultz
Community Member
3 years ago

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I just listened to the pronunciation and it does sound like f*** boy. He could just call her Ms. Nguyen.

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Dilly Millandry
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? Can you provide the link? I've only found ones that pronounce it to rhyme with Book-Fooey. No 'uck' sound at all. EDIT: I agree Jon S. It sounds more that way to me too but I thought people might not hear it or believe it. The k at the end is more of a b than a k sound.

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Steve
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3 years ago

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Trump would approve most of these responses. He doesn't think people should be able to ask questions or have opinions he disagrees with either.

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Dom Paraman
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3 years ago

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It really does look like it says F**k Boy. Which for.that reason alone. The guy haa a point. I would even go as far as to say her name IS offensive. You try asking a child to say that, while explaining to them not to say that. /golfclap/

christmas avatar
Chris Jones
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, for a start what are the chances that it doesn't sound like that? Didn't someone mention that they'd looked it up and it was pronounced Foop? Talking to people and listening to how things are pronounced is an option! Also, stop pretending that the rest of the world doesn't exist. Of course there are words in other languages that sound like rude ones in english. Big f*****g deal. Works both ways you know. Most children will find it funny and then move on and if they don't that will be because the adults had problems moving on even when they should know better. EDIT: Pronounced 'F**k Boo-ee' so not difficult.

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Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have asked the student what they prefer to be called as they have four names- if we had a middle name on the class register, our teachers would not refer to us by our whole name. If I was unfamiliar with the name, I would ask them to pronounce it- I have a huge PET PEEVE about names being mis-pronounced.

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Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have the same pet peeve. When I meet someone with a name that can be pronounced multiple ways (like mine /less lee/ vs lez lee/) or a name I've never heard, I ask them to pronounce it as I write it down phonetically! To tell the student to pick a new name without even knowing the correct pronunciation is just really lazy AND rude.

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Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if Laney ever has in-service training for instructors. This seems like the kind of thing that would/should be covered in a diversity/cultural sensitivity class. If not, it sounds like they REALLY need to implement something. I mean, lots of corporations have classes like these for employees. Not universities? And I'm not talking about quashing feee speech, just providing instructors with tools for dealing with a challenge like student-has-a-weird-name. They probably have to take sexual harassment training, right? I truly hope that Laney will work with Hubbard (and other instructors) to educate and implement best practices rather than firing him. His apology seemed legit to me, so maybe he'd be open to a training. It's much more helpful to open the discussion in a situation like this, and come to a greater understanding than to can anyone who seems clueless. If someone REFUSES to learn a different way, then fire their a*s! Why am I feeling like I'm going to get downvotes for this?

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Christophe Beunens
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live in an international world, so it should be rather normal to ask somebody how the name is pronounced. A French colleague is called Aglae (A - Gla - E). She is called by some people Algue or even Ugly...

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend's name is Welsh -- Aneurin, pronounced "an-EYE-run." He goes by "Annie" and when people respond like idiots, he tells them his name and they usually get over themselves.

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Al Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how the Professor was offended enough by a name to ask him to change it, yet used actual swearwords in an email to him.

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dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I looked it up and according to a person who speaks the language it's not meant to be pronounced with an uck sound but ook and the ending is softer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_n4aDs6qo

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked with a young woman whose name I just could not pronounce. Not once in the 6 months I worked with her. It never even occurred to me to ask her to simplify or Anglicize. I figured if the owner of the name wants to do that , they will let you know

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Mme de Poppadom
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's super common for people in business/academic world to include a phonetic pronunciation of their name in their email signature. Very grateful to those who enlighten others like this. Who hasn't had their name butchered at one point?

leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen that, but not enough! That would actually be a great addition to a business card! I'm going to see about using it! (My married name gets slaughtered)

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Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never even thought twice about changing my name to Ali when I spend time in Iran. My wife also has an English and Iranian name. So I can see the professor's point of view (and our names aren't rude, just difficult for the locals). But he could have dealt with it much more sensitively.

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it is your own choice it is lightyears away from being more or less ordered to do it. It also sounds as though it is an active wish, on your part, to blend in - when you are there, which means that it is not where you live permanently. Racism and xenophobia are everywhere, in all societies, and pressure on newer residents/citizens to change their names according to what is more common must be just about the most common form of pressure to integrate there is in the world.

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Multi-ethnic, multi-lingual person here, who's worked & lived in France, USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. I also have a B. Languages. I have had MANY instances where a name in one language sounds offensive in another (Connor in english, sounds EXACTLY like "arsehole" in french. Not similar. Identical. "Deb" (Deborah) means "fat" in Japanese). HOWEVER.... there are MANY polite ways to discuss this matter with someone, if their name LITERALLY sounds offensive. HOWEVER... if it sounds "similar"... just learn how to pronounce their name CORRECTLY!!!!! If they want to keep their offensive-sounding name in whatever language - let them!! IT IS THEIR NAME. Knew a british guy Connor, who had no idea what his name meant in french, & was complaining about the local French laughing whenever he introduced himself. Once I explained, he was mortified, & HE chose to go by his middle-name while in France. Outside of France, he went by Connor, and our French friends in the UK dealt with it perfectly fine.

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alwaysMispelled
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the comment by the sister it sounds like the student went by a different name in high school, so why not continue with that name? The professor definitely could have made a better request, and clearly the second email was waaaay out of line, but I don't think I would have filed a Title IX complaint, I would have just thought the professor was an a*****e. PS, I have a name that is difficult to pronounce in English, and people have constantly mispronounced it and misspelled it my entire life. AND I have been asked to go by an "easier" name. But I UNDERSTAND that it's difficult. I'm actually pretty self-conscious about it.

leslie_14 avatar
Leslie O
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sister brought that up in the context that her sister is happy and proud to use her given name now that she's escaped the childishness of high school. So having an instructor behave in a childish, ignorant manner may have made this EVEN MORE upsetting to her.

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Beh Pnkt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all the Phuc Buis out there: you are all phucing amazing!

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Slune
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Vietnamese pronunciation is soooo difficult for me, that I needed full two days to get " How are you doing?" out the way people are understanding. When seeing a text, thinking: seems to be easy for me, it's like French.......Ha, noooo they doing it the Vietnamese way. TAM BIET:)))

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Anglicize" -- idiotic from any angle, professor. How about asking the student F2F how she prefers to be called on, and then go with that?

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Gilda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone just needs to remember different languages are different languages there are only so many sounds a human can make and words will have different meanings in different tongues in German to drive is to fahrt and its said like fart but I won't refuse to say it this dude really needs to grow up and realize we don't have a monopoly on sounds there are probably some words in English that mean something offensive where this student is from

maliceevil avatar
Malice Evil
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tough this probably will be an unpopular opinion, i kinda see the teacher's point in this, people can and will be cruel for no reason, and having a weird sounding name may cause people to ridicule her. However i think that there were more diplomatic ways to handle this, like ask her how she prefers to be called, use the family name, or just miss.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My surname also sounds a bit like a bad word in Korean. Didn't change it, I laugh it off. But, honestly, I'm not often in situations where it gets noticed.

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to college in Mexico with a guy named Dennis (6'2" and well built). He had all the professors call him Hector, because in Spanish his name was pronounced "Denise". Talk about insecurity.

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okpkpkp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k Buoy. I looked it up and it took about 20 seconds.

sb256003 avatar
Stevie B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those that would like to know how to pronounce it correctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDctYTMJWNE

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for those interested, it's actually pronounced "f**k boo-ee". :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDctYTMJWNE

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Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a friend Siobhan (Sha-vorn, phonetically, for her). It's an Irish name. She was dark-haired and pale skin. The number of times it was said wrong (including myself when I first met her at work with her name tag), was constant. I took the time to learn how to pronounce it properly, and the history / origin of the name. Took maybe 1 minute to learn the sounds, about 5 minutes to learn the history, and many a bottle-of-wine to sympathise with her ongoing frustration. EFFORT to learn something new is a choice - and is actually pretty easy for those who aren't lazy arses like this teacher.

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Casey McAlister
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, he had no business asking her to change her name, but her filing a complaint instead of saying "no" is a bit of overreaction. She may be Phuc Bai, but deep down she is Karen.

cookie avatar
Cookie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it does not sound like fk boy. That's what ignorant White people think - that other languages are pronounced like White language (his language). The whole world is supposed to revolve around him, he thinks. Good for the college for suspending him.

wallicktn avatar
Tracy Wallick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many ways he could have gone about this-- asking how it's pronounced, asking her for a nickname, calling her Ms/Mx. Nguyen, etc. Anything would have been better than asking her to Anglicize it and doubling down when she informed him that his request was racist.

bevinchu avatar
Bevin Chu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should the teacher have insisted that the student change his name? NO! The student has no obligation to change his name. But it might have been wise of him to ask others to refer to him by his initials to avoid hassles. His choice of course. Whatever he can live with.

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Jewels Vern
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is entirely normal for people to adopt a name that is easily pronounceable to people they associate with.

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Anna Repp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, he did not even ask how the name is pronounced, he just assumed? I guess he never met anyone named, say Sean, who's name sounds not at all like it is written? And to those saying he might have had good intentions and wanted to help her avoid being bullied - he should have ASKED HER FIRST! Tell her that he knows how students can be mean about other's names, and if she wanted any help with that. Ugh!

gmadams avatar
Blackheart
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an educator, you ask a student what name they would like you to use to refer to them. As long as it is reasonable (and not some joke like "Master of the Universe") do it. If the student told him to use her name as is, the professor should have used her name as is. However, and from what I read this is not the case, if the student just filed a complaint without discussing it with the professor it would be on the student then.

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frederic eeckman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it annoying how they always apologize when the s**t hits the fan ? I mean, it sounded so unsincere that no apology was probably even better...

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CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see his point, but it was poorly delivered. Instead of insisting she changed it he should have just pointed out to be weary that others will likely mispronounce her name and maybe even bully her. His delivery sucked

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OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His point is that it makes HIM uncomfortable. That's not her problem. He needs to get over it and try to learn how to sat her name.

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, the teacher is an insensitive lout. But the student could have just said no instead of immediately going for the " I'm offended " publicity.

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OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think he's the first? Also, he's a teacher. He should be comfortable with asking how to pronounce a person's name and to know you shouldn't ask someone to change their name because it's hard for YOU. It's at least microaggression to make someone or ask someone to change their name to make you feel better.

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Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had coworkers from China that adopted an English name when they immigrated, probably to avoid this possibility.

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Kathryn Zimmerman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had an issue years ago with a receptionist named Vajaya. "Good Afternoon, you've reached [Company Name], this Vajaya speaking" wasn't going over well with clients. She was a lovely Indian-American woman. Eventually, we just asked her to stop introducing herself.

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Jovita A
Community Member
3 years ago

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Well,he could just use last name (as he should use last name) and avoid all the trouble..

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Solrac
Community Member
3 years ago

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Maybe the teacher made a mistake, but now it seems everything is discriminatory to some students. College culture in so many aspects has become very sensitive, cancel culture is really toxic.

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OBGYN KENOBI
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Telling someone to change their name because if offends you, is a you problem. Not a them problem. The fact that he doubled down while using actual cuss words is a big problem. It's ignorant at best to think someone should change their name to make it easier for you.

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Roland Trego
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3 years ago

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I don't think it is wrong to alert her that others might pronounce her name in a way which may cause snickers or result in her being the object of derision. If I were living in another country, I would want someone to tell me that. I've had students with names such as 'F*k Yu' and 'Hung Long'. No, in their native languages the names weren't pronounced as an English speaker might imagine. If you use your name in another country, the locals will pronounce it using sounds from their language that most closely approximate what they hear. There's a reason why advertising firms who want to sell a product in a foreign market hire local firms. A word in one language with no negative connotations or denotations may be stigmatized in another. It is up to the student, not the teacher, to decide whether she wishes to modify the pronunciation or even go by another name. Tell her to change her name? Misguided. Make her aware? Absolutely.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think she graduated high school in the US. Fairly sure she is perfectly well aware of how her name may be mispronounced.

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Rose the Cook
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3 years ago

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All my Chinese students come with an English name they have adopted at a younger age. I hope this was their own choice, but if anyone wanted to be called by their Chinese given name I would be happy to do so. The professor here handled the situation very badly but the student appears to be taking advantage of the current political atmosphere too.

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Taking advantage?” Every human has a name, and it’s nobody’s business to ask them to change it. The professor was an a**e!

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dev mehta
Community Member
3 years ago

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The Professor has a point.Requesting to adopt a nickname does not make him a bad guy. In English, the students name DOES sound like a curse word.

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Nia Loves Art
Community Member
3 years ago

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The professor was wrong to request that Phuc Bui change her name, but personally if my name was Phuc Bui I probably wouldn’t need any prompting to do that.

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Thenatural
Community Member
3 years ago

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When I worked in Turkmenistan I was asked to 'turk' my name as it meant' A**e raping spunk junkie' in the local dialect......my names Ian by the way

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Chris Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Er.. does it? Looking it up doesn't bring that up at all. Have I misunderstood somehow?

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Stille20
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3 years ago

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I think the initial request is mildly insensitive, but not worthy of suspension. However, the follow up email doubles down. Frankly it's not rude to ask someone to change their name to accommodate others.

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Carrie de Luka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But why should they accommodate others? It's a different language. Does intent not matter anymore? No-one is intending it to be an offensive word. I could say 'Hi my name is D**k'. Not offensive. I could say 'You are a d**k' which is offensive. (Apologies - it's just an example and I do NOT think you are a d**k!) It's expecting people to consider things only from an english speaking perspective which is bloody arrogant surely? I do think that maybe a meeting could have taken place to find out how to pronounce the name first and maybe it would have avoided a lot of unpleasantness. If the professor then persisted in thinking a name change was remotely appropriate then he's the d**k.

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Luis
Community Member
3 years ago

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What? The teacher is giving him an advice to avoid he to get bully and get offended? I'm agree the teacher could express in a better way, explain a little bit more but is not something to get offended or make a teacher lost his job! My friend his last name is Ballines, and in English sound like "Vagina" just to avoid embarrassing him self when he get called, do not use it!

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

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I think if she wants to constantly have people call her "F**k Boy" and deal with the cultural fallout from that, ie, no Starbucks barista is going to put that on a cup, people thinking her name is a prank, then it's her choice to do so. Conformity to a point is useful, but forced conformity should not ever be part of a healthy liberal society.

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Chris Watson
Community Member
3 years ago

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So what?!!! Seriously. "F**k boy",is the English pronunciation And yes, foreigners should respect our language. Change your horrible name, Or be prepared for teasing and jokes

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Tyler Duffy
Community Member
3 years ago

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I don't think there's anything wrong with "asking" if they would mind doing so. But you can't order them to.

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Liam Walsh
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As he asked twice and very bluntly it does come across more as a demand couched as a request really. Still don't understand why the man wouldn't at least find out how it's pronounced first - it doesn't sound like f**k but more like f**k. If I can find an online 'tutorial' on how to pronounce it then so could the professor - or even, shockingly, have checked with the student.

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elia 84631
Community Member
3 years ago

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How about the common greek subname sufflix -poulos. Maybe it sounds a bit offensive to me, but who cares?

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Jon S.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does poulos sound offensive? I'm not able to make a rude word out of it, but I might not be trying hard enough!

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Rebecca Schultz
Community Member
3 years ago

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I just listened to the pronunciation and it does sound like f*** boy. He could just call her Ms. Nguyen.

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Dilly Millandry
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? Can you provide the link? I've only found ones that pronounce it to rhyme with Book-Fooey. No 'uck' sound at all. EDIT: I agree Jon S. It sounds more that way to me too but I thought people might not hear it or believe it. The k at the end is more of a b than a k sound.

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Steve
Community Member
3 years ago

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Trump would approve most of these responses. He doesn't think people should be able to ask questions or have opinions he disagrees with either.

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Dom Paraman
Community Member
3 years ago

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It really does look like it says F**k Boy. Which for.that reason alone. The guy haa a point. I would even go as far as to say her name IS offensive. You try asking a child to say that, while explaining to them not to say that. /golfclap/

christmas avatar
Chris Jones
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, for a start what are the chances that it doesn't sound like that? Didn't someone mention that they'd looked it up and it was pronounced Foop? Talking to people and listening to how things are pronounced is an option! Also, stop pretending that the rest of the world doesn't exist. Of course there are words in other languages that sound like rude ones in english. Big f*****g deal. Works both ways you know. Most children will find it funny and then move on and if they don't that will be because the adults had problems moving on even when they should know better. EDIT: Pronounced 'F**k Boo-ee' so not difficult.

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