New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, recently attempted to correct the pronunciation of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's name, only to mispronounce it herself.
During a rally in the Bronx, James, who was endorsing the socialist assemblyman, aimed to address those who frequently mispronounce Mamdani's name. "His name is Zohran Mandani [sic]," she stated, inadvertently replacing the second "m" with an "n."
As Mamdani stood beside her, she added, "Youve got to say it with all the syllables for those who still get it wrong."
According to The Washington Free Beacon, Mamdani has previously expressed frustration over the mispronunciation of his name. In a June mayoral primary debate, he even spelled out his surname after being referred to as "Mandani" by a rival candidate, Andrew Cuomo. "The name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I," he clarified, emphasizing the importance of getting it right.
Following the debate, Mamdani remarked, "Its troubling to see a candidate for this same position be unable or unwilling to say my name correctly. Its not that difficult."
The issue of mispronunciation resurfaced when New York Governor Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, made a similar error at a LaGuardia Airport event, referring to Mamdani as "Mandami [sic]." James had initially endorsed New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor but shifted her support to Mamdani shortly before the primary election on June 24.
While other prominent New York Democrats, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have commended Mamdani, they have yet to formally endorse him.
The repeated mispronunciations highlight a broader issue of attention to detail and respect in political discourse. As Mamdani continues his campaign, the correct pronunciation of his name remains a point of emphasis, reflecting the importance of accurate representation in public life.
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