What’s In A Name?
After Sidepodcast courted controversy with the naming conventions of certain drivers, we now have a solution that will see the problem eradicated forever.
Thanks to a wonderful email from Dan, I can now present you with: Name That Driver.
All you have to do is select the driver you can’t pronounce, and listen to the man himself telling you how his name should sound. There’s also usually a little tidbit, like what his friend’s call him or the worst pronunciation ever used.
Who knew that Coulthard was pronounced as a “th”?
This is my new favourite site and we will definitely be using it from now on. And sorry ‘me’, Vettel does say it’s pronounced “Fettle”.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:12 amme said:
wow. what a brilliant idea.
however, i have to ask… who in the world thought that scott speed needed his own entry? or am i missing the point somewhere.
even i can get that name correct.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:05 pmOllie said:
What a great find, and a great idea for a little site.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pmDank said:
Brilliant site - love it!
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:40 pmbrendan stallard said:
Me,
You know: you said the most surprising thing I’ve ever heard you say in the latest podcast. You said you had always thought you should pronounce names as you felt right: rather than the way the person with the name wanted it pronounced.
As a retired copper: I always made a habit of referring to people as they preferred, it sets ‘em off less:)
The only nickname in common use, I hated to use was Libby. Elizabeth is such a beautiful name, seems a shame to shorten it.
brendan
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:03 pmChristine said:
It’s a bit different if you’re a copper and talking to someone face to face, than talking about a “famous” person who has a slim chance of ever knowing what you call them.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 pmbrendan stallard said:
Christine,
Oh: I didn’t mean any criticism, I apologise if my words seemed that way. I often come up with little matters of this nature when talking with folks a fair bit younger than me. I guess its just old age, and a different generation.
brendan
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pmme said:
i have a solution to my “Vettel” naming issue, from here on in i shall refer to him as sebastian.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pmChristine said:
Yea, but there are so many of them these days!
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pmme said:
well, one of them is spelt with an ‘e’, so i’ll just say it differently…
erm…
that’s not going to work either is it?
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pmDon Speekingleesh said:
I remember hearing a radio news-reader (in Ireland) mispronouncing both of Jenson Button’s names…
January 24th, 2008 at 4:06 pmClive said:
Well, everyone knows that Button’s name is pronounced “Yenson Bootong”.
That business about Scott Speed illustrates the delightful ignorance of the Anglo Saxon when it comes to anything “foreign”. Of course the Brits and Yanks know how to pronounce it - we all speak English, for crying out loud! We may not be able to see how an Italian or Tibetan could pronounce such a simple name in another way but you can bet that the reality would sound pretty strange to us.
Brendan brings out the truth of the matter. The fact is, we aged geezers like to demonstrate our greater learning and understanding by pronouncing foreign names and words correctly. We are saying, in effect, “Don’t class me with the rest of my ignorant countrymen; I know how to show proper respect for foreigners. Heck, I even know how to pronounce French words…”
January 24th, 2008 at 5:14 pmbrendan stallard said:
“Heck, I even know how to pronounce French words…”
Clive,
Now don’t be admitting to that if you ever come to Atlanta, lad:)
brendan
January 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pmClive said:
I have been to Atlanta - the airport, at least (and it is every bit as huge and exhausting as its reputation). But as for pronouncing French words there, I always say, “When in Atlanta, do as them good ole boys do.”