I have heard so many variations on my name over the years. And that is just my first name - we will not even go into my last name :-)
But I do try to correct people when they first meet me. From that point on I don't try to be picky about it. I know they are referring to me. It almost identifies the circle of friends based on how they pronounce it. Though some still cannot get it right. And if we talk of family, I am known there as Abdul since my father is the one known as Cesar. It makes people remember you that is for sure as they try to get the name right. I do not believe it would traumatize any child by not Anglicizing the name. I am proud of my name for it comes from my grandmother. I never met her, but there is still my connection to her via my name. Most interesting is how certain people call me based on the language used... Cesar Panama City, Florida -----Original Message----- From: Keith WHALEY [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 1:52 PM Hi Tanja. . . Actually, I'm all for educating others to the family's way of pronouncing the name. Or, the heritage version, I call it. For example, my daughter has a very good girlfriend, who is Hungarian or similar (okay, I forgot!) and wanted to name her daughter Hana. Pronounced HAH-nah. That's how it is pronounced in her family's home country. I said stick with it. Spell and pronounce it as you want. . . In fact, I like "Hana" a lot. It has a nice ring to it! But, the mom said no. . .when the poor kid goes to school (here in the U.S.) it will be a constant correcting of students and teachers, on how to properly pronounce her name. So, she Anglicized it. That's a shame, far as I'm concerned. So, i guess it's easier all around if you keep it spelled Tanya, so it's pronounced okay, instead of spelled okay, with Tanja. I prefer Tanja, mind you, but as someone pointed out, you're a business, and you do have to take other considerations into account. You've got a wonderful start for anyone, let alone someone so young! Good onya! <g> Much luck in the future! keith whaley * * * Tanya Mayer Photography wrote: > > LOL @ Keith! > > No Keith - your pronounciation would've been almost correct. It is actually > pronounced "Tarn-ya" or "Ten-ya" to the Aussie lingo-ists. > > The story goes that my actual birth name is spelt Tanja, but here in Oz, > most locals (who don't usually have a wonderful grasp of correct English > grammar use and spellings) have difficulty comprehending how the letters > T-A-N-J-A can result with the pronounciation as above. Sooo, for business > purposes, I have adopted the spelling "Tanya". > > I prefer my "true" name, and was just asking the list if I should stick with > the Tanya version or revert to my preferred "Tanja". > > Concensus seems to be that to stick with Tanya would be better. > > And to keep well away from anything "Fairy" related (which I kind of new > already - hence, www.tanyamayer.com and not www.fotosbyfairy.whatever). > > Here in Oz, we also have the word Fairy meaning similar connotations to > those already posted. > > Not sure about Bill Robb's interpretation of the "Fag" hanging from the > lip - might be a bit heavy and awkward, I would think... > > Hardy Har Har! > > tan. > > Keith wrote: > > Oh no! I've been offline and haven't been following this thread - don't > tell me it is a hard J, as in Jamaica! > It's a good thing I didn't pronounce it Ton-ya (phonetically) in public! > Next thing you'll be telling me it's Tan, as in the color, and 'juh' as > an ending. > > If so, now I will next need the derivation!
