GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump continues to mispronounce the first name of Vice President Kamala Harris, despite her clear instructions on the correct pronunciation. Trump, speaking at an event in Florida, stated that he has heard Harris’ name pronounced in various ways, including two versions that he deemed acceptable: “KA-ma-luh” or “Ka-MA-luh.” However, he expressed that he doesn’t care about pronouncing it correctly, stating, “It doesn’t matter what I say. I couldn’t care less if I mispronounce it or not.”
Harris has previously emphasized that her name should be pronounced as “comma-la,” similar to the punctuation mark. This pronunciation deviates from the traditional Indian pronunciation of the name, which is closer to “com’la.” Despite these clarifications, Trump continues to mispronounce her name as “Ka-MA-luh,” placing emphasis on the second syllable. Sociolinguistics professor Nicole Holliday noted that some Republicans mispronouncing Harris’ name may be doing so intentionally as a way to signal their political views.
Beyond mispronouncing Harris’ name, Trump also stumbled over other words during his speech. He mispronounced “Harris” as “Harrah” and referred to a place as “land ‘slade.'” These verbal missteps highlight a pattern of linguistic inaccuracies that have been observed throughout Trump’s public appearances. Despite criticism and clarification on the correct pronunciation from Harris herself, Trump has stated that he is not concerned about pronouncing her name correctly, reflecting a lack of consideration and respect.
Harris, as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has taken steps to ensure that the correct pronunciation of her name is known. She released a PSA during her 2016 Senate run to demonstrate the pronunciation and has encouraged people to think of it as “comma-la” for easier recall. However, Trump’s repeated mispronunciations demonstrate a disregard for her name and a lack of effort to address this issue. This lack of respect for correct pronunciation may be perceived as intentional by some, reflecting broader political sentiments.
The mispronunciation of Harris’ name by Trump and other Republicans can be seen as a deliberate choice that aligns with their political views. Holliday suggests that the incorrect pronunciation may serve as a signal to indicate one’s lack of support for Harris or their consumption of media sources that do not emphasize the correct pronunciation. This intentional mispronunciation can be viewed as a way to express dissent or opposition to Harris and her political positions. Despite the efforts to clarify the correct pronunciation, some individuals continue to mispronounce her name for political reasons.
In conclusion, Trump’s repeated mispronunciations of Vice President Kamala Harris’ name reflect a lack of consideration and respect for her identity and cultural background. Despite Harris’ clear instructions on the correct pronunciation, Trump has dismissed the importance of getting it right, stating that he “couldn’t care less.” The intentional mispronunciation of Harris’ name by some Republicans may serve as a signal of their political views, highlighting a broader discourse around linguistic accuracy and political alignment. This ongoing issue underscores the importance of respecting individuals’ names and identities, regardless of political affiliations.
