Bold statement: Pronunciation mistakes dominated this year’s headlines, turning names like Mamdani and Louvre into cultural talking points—and revealing how language can trip up even the most informed readers. But here’s where it gets controversial: the way we pronounce foreign names isn’t just about accuracy; it reflects power, respect, and the willingness to learn. This rewrite preserves the core information while offering a clearer, expanded perspective for beginners.
In 2025, public attention swung between political milestones and high-profile cultural events, and with that attention came widespread mispronunciation. Babbel, a language-learning company, teamed up with The Captioning Group to publish a list highlighting the words that American news anchors, politicians, and public figures struggled with most. Among the highlighted names was Mamdani, the incoming mayor of New York City. When he takes office in January, he will be the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first person born in Africa, and the first of South Asian heritage to hold the position. Babbel notes that his surname is commonly mispronounced when the final two letters M and N are swapped. The correct pronunciation is “zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee”, with particular emphasis on a soft, almost whispered final syllable.
Mamdani himself has shown a practical, forgiving stance toward pronunciation: he doesn’t mind if someone makes an earnest attempt but is clear that intentional mispronunciation is unacceptable. During a mayoral debate, he challenged former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to say his name correctly, stating plainly: “The name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I.”
The same study drew attention to the Louvre, France’s world-renowned museum, whose name also appeared on the mispronunciation list. The correct articulation is “LOOV-ruh”, with a notably soft ending that can be tricky for native English speakers. The list also included other high-profile terms and names drawn from current events and popular culture, such as:
- Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, pronounced “uh-SEE-tuh-MIH-nuh-fen.” The word resurfaced in discussions linked to health and politics, including public campaigns around medication use.
- Alex Murdaugh, the South Carolina attorney whose 2021 case inspired a high-profile court case and a Hulu series, pronounced “AL-ick MUR-dock.”
- Mounjaro, a diabetes and obesity medication, pronounced “mown-JAHR-oh.” This name gained prominence due to its association with weight loss effects reported by patients.
Interestingly, several terms on the U.S. list also appeared in the United Kingdom’s rankings, compiled by Babbel in collaboration with the British Institute of Verbatim Reporters, an association of subtitling professionals. For instance, the storm name Éowyn—an Irish and UK weather-related identifier—entered the U.K. list with the correct pronunciation given as “ay-OH-win”, delivered with a three-beat rhythm for clarity.
Linguists and captioners noted that many challenging words emerge from languages with sounds not native to English speakers. Esteban Touma, a linguistic and cultural expert at Babbel, explained that adapting to unfamiliar sounds is a common part of language learning and communication in multilingual societies.
Beyond these examples, the year also highlighted how pronunciation can spark broader conversations about culture, history, and media influence. The piece also referenced a lighthearted pronunciation moment: Denzel Washington, during a discussion with Jimmy Kimmel, revealed that his own name’s pronunciation has evolved in the family’s usage. He noted that his father’s name was pronounced differently and that his mother eventually settled on a particular pronunciation for her son, illustrating how personal and familial choices can shape public perception.
In short, the mispronunciation of names and terms in 2025 underscores a broader lesson: accurate pronunciation often requires listening, humility, and willingness to learn from native speakers. It’s not merely about getting phonetics right; it’s about showing respect for individuals’ identities and the linguistic diversity that enriches public discourse. Are there names or terms you’ve encountered recently that you found tricky, and what strategies helped you pronounce them correctly? Share your experiences in the comments.
