Hello, so I am currently plotting out another Episode story though this one has a Thai protagonist and a Thai love interest; which I was pretty hesitant on for some reason despite being Thai myself.
The story is set in the west and the protagonists’ name is Pamela which from my knowledge the pronunciation is pretty well known by English speakers. Again sorry if the wording sounds odd.
The love interest name is currently Sunan which in my oh so humble opinion should be pretty easy for someone who only knows english to say either aloud or in their head?
However my judgement is technically skewered since my own name, I will not be writing it for privacy, is considered difficult to pronounce by many where I am. A generally English speaking, mainly white part of the world.
Since Sunan is a musician I could change their name to an alias but I’d still need a name name for him.
My question is, in the end, should I stick to mainly well known easy for English-speakers-Names when I can?
Also I’m really sorry if this topic was worded weirdly.
Whether or not it does is another question.
Have a good night or day everyone, sorry!
Edit: I changed a grammar mistake.
Edit Two: Deleted White People.
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Even English is pronounced differently in different English speaking countries. I say use the original name, you could have a help section at the beginning or end of your story to help people with pronunciation.
And I’d change “white” to American English, cause that’s probably what you mean.
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Okay thanks!
And I’d change “white” to American English, cause that’s probably what you mean.
It probably is, though I was raised with British English so I tend to use British English in the context of American English online.
Even English is pronounced differently in different English speaking countries.
Yeah I guess I didn’t realise that when I was stuck with names.
you could have a help section at the beginning or end of your story to help people with pronunciation.
That’s a good idea I’ll look into it though I’ll have to be careful as I am only one Thai person which means I could slip up, ha.
Thank you for taking your time to answer my topic.
I hope you have a good night or day and I’m sorry if my reply came off as rude in any way, it was not meant as such.
It’s up to you of course. I don’t think it matters too much and I love seeing various names from other languages myself, but I adore foreign languages so I’m biased. Pronunciation is a fair worry I guess, so you can make a note somewhere in the story like @jar_output_error said if you want.
English spelling is such that you never really know anyway and the naming systems are truly all over the place. Plus, in big cities in most English speaking places, you get names from all over. You just have to tell people how to pronounce it if it’s not a common name.
If you are that worried about it, adding nicknames (if it’s relevant or makes sense) could be an easy way to go, especially if the names are longer. But it won’t hurt your story either way I think and can even make it more unique!
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Thanks for taking the time out of your day or night to reply to my topic. I definitely go with the names I had planned for the characters now.
Have a good night or day, thank you!
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