From 'Mamdani' to 'Louvre': Most mispronounced words of 2025 revealed • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Mispronounced words and names
• Zuran Mani
• Louvre Museum
• Acetaminophen
• Mounjaro
• Stormy Daniels
• Babel (language learning company)
• The Captioning Group (closed captioning company)
• Social media influence on pronunciation

Zuran Mani and the Louvre: Top Mispronounced Names

The transcript highlights two prominent names that have made headlines for being frequently mispronounced:

• Zuran Mani: The first mayor of New York City of South Asian heritage, his name has been included in the 2025 list of most mispronounced words.
• The Louvre: The world's most visited museum also made the list due to widespread mispronunciations following coverage of a dramatic jewelry heist.

Other Notable Mispronounced Words

Beyond names, several other words were identified as commonly mispronounced:

• Acetaminophen: The active ingredient in pain relief drugs. The correct pronunciation is emphasized as "acetaminophen."
• Mounjaro: A common diabetes medication that has gained popularity for weight loss. This word appeared on both the US and UK lists.
• Stormy Daniels: Also featured on the UK list.

Methodology and Rationale for the List

The list of mispronounced words and names is compiled by two organizations:

• Babel: A language learning company.
• The Captioning Group: A closed captioning company.

Their objective, as stated by a representative, is to "keep a track of everything that has been happening in the world to make sure that we have a pulse on how the language works." This involves monitoring popular culture, politics, and sports.

Challenges in Pronunciation

The transcript points to several reasons for these pronunciation difficulties:

• Multilingual Origins: Many of these words and names originate from different languages, requiring adaptation to unfamiliar sounds. For example, achieving the precise French pronunciation of "Louvre" can be challenging.
• Social Media's Role: Language experts attribute a significant part of the problem to social media. An incorrect pronunciation, if it gains traction and receives thousands or millions of views, can spread widely without immediate correction.

Conclusion

The 2025 list of most mispronounced words, compiled by Babel and The Captioning Group, underscores the challenges individuals face with names and terms from diverse linguistic backgrounds and those amplified by social media. The inclusion of figures like Zuran Mani and institutions like the Louvre, alongside common medications and public figures, highlights the pervasive nature of pronunciation errors in contemporary discourse. The ease with which incorrect pronunciations can propagate online emphasizes the need for greater awareness and linguistic accuracy.