The linguistic landscape of the U.S. in 2025 was marked by difficulties in pronunciation as highlighted by Babbel and The Captioning Group. Names such as Zohran Mamdani, New York's incoming mayor, became notorious for mispronunciations, particularly as he steps into office as the city's first Muslim mayor with South Asian and African roots. The correct pronunciation has been defined as zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee, yet many fell short, mixing letters or misplacing emphasis.
During a recent debate, Mamdani confronted mispronunciations directly, notably calling attention to the former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's errors. Beyond political names, cultural references like the Louvre also made headlines as a mispronounced term, especially after the jewel heist incident that captivated the nation. The correct pronunciation is LOOV-ruh, which can be tricky for many English speakers.
Words like acetaminophen, utilized commonly in the U.S. as a pain reliever, also tripped up speakers, with its correct pronunciation being uh-SEE-tuh-MIH-nuh-fen. Other notable mentions include Alex Murdaugh and Mounjaro, both associated with high-profile cases and popular medications that have entered public discourse.
Babbel notes that many mispronunciations arise from names and terms rooted in languages unfamiliar to many American speakers, beckoning the importance of linguistic education and cultural understanding. Esteban Touma, a linguistic expert from Babbel, emphasized adapting to sounds and names new to many, highlighting a growing need for clarity in communication amidst various dialects.
As we continue into 2025, these mispronounced words and names not only reflect the year's events but also underline the ongoing cultural intersections that define modern American discourse.
