Introducing a friend

Question

If I am introducing an English speaking friend to a Spanish speaking friend and I am speaking Spanish, would I use the English or Spanish pronuciation of the friend's name? For example, would I say :

"Este es mi amigo Stee vehn"

or "Este es mi amigo Steh behn" ?

Answer 1

Regardless of language differences, I believe that the correct way to show courtesy is to introduce your friend as he would like to be called. If he prefers

Stee vehn

then use that pronunciation. If he prefers to be called

Steh behn

then use that pronunciation.

Answer 2

Hello elora, Good Evening. I do not think so, because the names are proper nouns. By that I mean that if your friend is called: Stee Vehn and change it to your stehen Behn, this would not be the same name.

Greetings.

Answer 3

This reminds me of the old Western movies. The Indian (native American) is always called "bear that swims" or "Red Cloud" or however his name translated into English. They never actually tell you his Indian name. Your name is your name, not what it translates to. If my name is John, it is not Juan. Some people might use their translated name out of courtesy or to fit in, but I wouldn't apply for any official documents using my translated name.

Answer 4

I think you should ask your friend what they want to be called. But if the spanish speeking person speeks both. You should introduce her by her english name. But if not than you should introduce her as both.......

Answer 5

Thanks for all of your helpful answers. In high school my Spanish teacher gave each member of the class a "Spanish name" which was basically our own name with Spanish pronunciation. That got me wondering whether that was a common practice or just something he did for fun in the classroom.

Answer 6

I think that you should call your friend whatever he wants to be called. I agree that names shoudn't be translated from language, because your name is your own name, and not a term in a foreign language.