What’s in a name?
Every so often, I hear from listeners who politely (or sometimes not so politely) take WBHM to task for mispronouncing words. As Program Director, it’s my job to make sure we sound not just consistent on the air, but credible as well.
Whether it’s a classical composer or name or place in the news, this is easier said than done.
For foreign names and places, a reasonable approach I’ve always taken is to sound like an informed American. Using pronunciation guides can help. But this only gets to part of the issue.
The other part is that language and cultures are always evolving. Something that may sound correct today can easily change over time.
That’s why I was so impressed with this article from NPR: How we pronounce Uvalde says a lot about the power of language in mixed communities
I don’t want to spoil the entire article. It’s an excellent read, and I think you’ll like it, too.
One thing that public media is known for is taking time to explain things in a meaningful, informative way. Most of the time, the news isn’t just one single thing, it’s many shades of grey – very nuanced and worth taking the time to connect the dots and learn.
Oh, and when I wrote earlier how something may sound correct today but can easily change over time? Well, I speak from personal experience – Krulevich, Krilivitz, and Krell were all forerunners to Krall.
(Through “Programming Notes,” we hope to keep you connected to what is happening at WBHM both internally and on-air. Have feedback you’d like to share? Or a programming question? Let me know!)
Incoming Transmission! Pt. 2
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There’s Lots of Moth’s in the Air
This week, I’m writing about The Moth – not the insect, the storytelling phenomenon! If you haven’t heard, The Moth is true stories told live, without notes. It’s personal storytelling that connects us as human beings. These stories are told in different ways to millions of people each year including right here in the Heart […]
Welcome Back to Program Notes!
I spent a (mostly) restful two weeks off visiting with extended family – most of us hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic. But even on vacation, I still listen to public radio wherever I am. Sure, I could (and often do) listen online, but there’s a part of me that’s also a fan […]
Deliberate Indifference – Inside Alabama’s Prison Crisis
You’ve probably heard of our new narrative podcast, Deliberate Indifference. And, given all the heavy news the past few months alone, you may think this is the last thing you want to listen to. I urge to reconsider. As citizens, we have a right to know how more than 500 million of our tax dollars […]
