A
female
age
22-25,
anonymous
writes:This is going to sound really stupid but I'm genuinely finding it difficult to say the name of someone I've just started talking to platonically online. I haven't met them yet and, if I will it will be a while away, so I don't need to say it but their name is Luca and it doesn't sound right to me in my accent like I'm pronouncing it wrong but I'm not it just sounds strange when I say it. It's a really silly thought to me that I can't say his name without it sounding weird but if I was talking to him on Skype or met him in person, I'd probably need to say it sometimes [-= it's just the regional accent that makes his name sound silly when I try to say it.What should I do? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 February 2015): I am English and have a very strong regional accent, foreign people tell me I am hard to understand. My boyfriend is from another country and for the first month (or longer! :s) of dating him I could not remember all of his name. Even now I think I am still pronouncing the surname wrong after 2 years. We both have times where we cannot understand what the other has said, but just have to be clear and ask. No offence taken, you cannot learn if you don't ask.
A
female
reader, YouWish  +, writes (22 February 2015):
 Actually, you have nothing to worry about! In fact, he'll probably totally love it and think you sound exotic when you say it.
There's nothing quite so amazing as when you hear someone you have feelings for say your name. The fact that you say it with an accent will be a huge plus to him.
Trust me on this - you having an accent when you say "Luca" will be a huge advantage, not a drawback.
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female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (22 February 2015):
 Ask your Mum!
If you can't ask her, then please let us know why you can't ask her. Or why you couldn't ask your Dad.
:)
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female
reader, Midnight Shadow +, writes (22 February 2015):
 I think the OP means that she knows how it's pronounced, but her regional accent (still in the UK?) means that it sounds strange to her when she says it - am I right, OP?
I've known someone called Luca (he and his parents are English, but his they just liked the name, so he doesn't have an Italian accent when saying it :P) for a year or so now, but I used to struggle to say his name (when practicing) without laughing at myself because it sounds wrong when I say it, like it should be said in an Italian/Russian accent, hahaa. You know that people say "when choosing a baby name say it multiple times in different tones - including excited, angry, normal and shouting up the stairs"? I struggled with that with my friend's name :')
I don't think he'll care; I'm sure it won't be the first time he's heard someone with a different accent to him - just keep practicing :)
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (22 February 2015):
 Luca, as the Italian version of Luke ?... Then you are lucky, that's a short and easy name :)- and WiseOwlE is correct , you pronounce it loo-kah. You can also go to PronounceNames.com, you digit " Luca " under Name Search, and voila' , short audio/video which teachs you the right sound. Practice and you'll get it right in no time.
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female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (22 February 2015):
 Ask for him to pronounce his name when you Skype. Most English speakers can't pronounce my name either - they make it into this "bastardized" version that just sounds well.. wrong lol so.. I have a nick-name that people call me and that is OK with me.
Accents are cool. I bet IF anything it will make him smile to hear YOUR version.
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A
female
reader, Ciar  +, writes (22 February 2015):
 If you haven't met yet, you have time to practice. The more you hear yourself saying it, the less weird it will be to you.
Everyone has an accent so you're not alone.
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reader, anonymous, writes (22 February 2015): When you meet him, ask him to excuse your accent if his name comes out wrong. Just try Loo-kah...say it until you get used to it. Good luck!
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female
reader, mylifeisabeautifuldisaster +, writes (22 February 2015):
 hi, i have had this problem before and it can be a little awkward but you should just be confident and ask him/her how to say it, it will prevent you from sounding like a numpty when it comes to you two meeting in real life x
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