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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Use respectful language when learning how to say a person’s name or a place name.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe 2020 report reviews names that television newsreaders found difficult to pronounce, including personal names and places. It uses vocabulary such as “survey,” “commissioned,” and “biography.” Its pronunciation guide reflects that year’s list; for a person’s preferred pronunciation, the most respectful source is the person themselves.
Cultural note: Names are part of people’s identities, and no one should be mocked for correcting a pronunciation. A phonetic spelling is only an aid, not a substitute for listening. Some place names have multiple pronunciations depending on language, community, or local preference.
Keep exploringA name is not a pronunciation puzzle to solve by guessing. Ask, listen, and practice the way the person says it.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Use respectful phrases when learning a name.
Meaning
Information that helps a reader say a word or name.
Tone & use
Guides may use phonetic symbols or spellings. They are useful starting points, but listen to the person or community when possible.
Example
“The museum website includes a pronunciation guide for the Indigenous place names in the exhibit.”
Understand words about surveys and commissioned work.
Meaning
Asked a group of people questions to learn what they think or do.
Tone & use
Often used in reports. A survey describes the people asked and the questions used; it does not necessarily represent everyone.
Example
“The organizers surveyed local families before choosing the best event time.”
Meaning
Ordered or arranged for something to be created, often in exchange for payment.
Tone & use
Common for reports, artwork, studies, or other work. It says who requested the work, not whether the results are unbiased.
Example
“The library commissioned a local artist to create a mural for its entrance.”
Recognize that pronunciation guides are approximations.
Meaning
A written account of a real person’s life, written by someone else.
Tone & use
A biography may describe a whole life or a particular period. An autobiography is written by the person themselves.
Example
“She read a biography of the athlete before interviewing him for the school paper.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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