DALLAS (AP) — Language mishaps have become emblematic of the year's headlines, with notable names like New York City’s incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the world-renowned Louvre making the list of most mispronounced words in 2025, according to a release from Babbel and The Captioning Group.
As Mamdani prepares to begin his term in January, he is set to become the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of African descent. The correct pronunciation of his name is zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee, yet many have been heard swapping the 'M' and 'N' in his last name, leading to frequent mispronunciations. Mamdani has remarked that he is more forgiving of those who mispronounce his name while attempting to say it correctly, compared to those who do so with intent.
The recent jewel heist at the Louvre has also contributed to the confusion surrounding the museum’s name. Correctly pronounced LOOV-ruh, some speakers struggle with the softer 'ruh’ sound, which is challenging for many English speakers.
A lot of these words come from different languages and so we have to adapt to a sound that we’ve never made before, notes Esteban Touma, a linguistic expert at Babbel. Alongside Mamdani and Louvre, the list includes other names and terms such as Acetaminophen and Alex Murdaugh, showcasing the diverse linguistic landscape shaping conversation in 2025.
As capturing the nuances of language becomes increasingly essential in the news, Babbel continues to track emerging pronunciation challenges throughout the year.
As Mamdani prepares to begin his term in January, he is set to become the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of African descent. The correct pronunciation of his name is zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee, yet many have been heard swapping the 'M' and 'N' in his last name, leading to frequent mispronunciations. Mamdani has remarked that he is more forgiving of those who mispronounce his name while attempting to say it correctly, compared to those who do so with intent.
The recent jewel heist at the Louvre has also contributed to the confusion surrounding the museum’s name. Correctly pronounced LOOV-ruh, some speakers struggle with the softer 'ruh’ sound, which is challenging for many English speakers.
A lot of these words come from different languages and so we have to adapt to a sound that we’ve never made before, notes Esteban Touma, a linguistic expert at Babbel. Alongside Mamdani and Louvre, the list includes other names and terms such as Acetaminophen and Alex Murdaugh, showcasing the diverse linguistic landscape shaping conversation in 2025.
As capturing the nuances of language becomes increasingly essential in the news, Babbel continues to track emerging pronunciation challenges throughout the year.
