In brief
From the election of Zohran Mamdani, who is set to be New York City's first Muslim mayor, to the infamous jewel heist at the Louvre, many words and names have become difficult for Americans to pronounce in 2025. The language-learning company Babbel, alongside The Captioning Group, released a list identifying some of the most mispronounced terms of the year, revealing how linguistic challenges reflect cultural shifts and keep citizens engaged with major news events.
DALLAS (AP) — The confusion surrounding pronunciations has left Americans struggling with some of 2025's most notable news names and topics. A report from Babbel, in collaboration with The Captioning Group, identifies the most mispronounced words, scrutinizing how language evolves alongside societal changes. Among them is Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor. His name, often mispronounced, is intended to sound like 'zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee,' yet many have jumbled the 'M' and 'N.' Mamdani has expressed his understanding but pointed out instances of deliberate mispronunciations. During a debate, he confronted former Governor Andrew Cuomo over his pronunciation, clarifying, 'The name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I.' The list also highlights the Louvre, France's most visited museum, where the recent jewel heist has led to mispronunciations of its name, which should be articulated as 'LOOV-ruh.' Babbel's linguistic expert, Esteban Touma, remarked, 'A lot of these words come from different languages, and so we have to adapt to sounds we've never made before.' Other mispronounced items include 'Acetaminophen' and 'Mounjaro,' reflecting both cultural references and the healthcare dialogue in America this year. The report's findings serve as a reminder of the complexities of language as it intertwines with cultural identity, global events, and ongoing social conversations.
