Credit: Facebook
Mom Furious As School Shortens Daughter’s Name Because It’s ‘Too Hard To Say’
A mom was left furious after her daughter’s school shortened her name as it was ‘too hard to say.’
Paris Tautu, of Maori descent, says the situation at the New Zealand-based nursery has deeply affected her daughter, as other children mock her name and fail to make any effort to pronounce it.
Not only has it hurt the child’s feelings, but it’s also stripped away the pride she once felt in her cultural heritage.
The upset mom aired her frustrations on Facebook, describing how upsetting it was to see her child ’embarrassed’ by her name.
She wrote (via the Mirror): “Can you imagine your child being too embarrassed to say their name because people won’t make a decent effort to pronounce it properly?”
The mom learned the nursery was not saying her daughter’s name when they informed her they would call Mahinarangi by ‘Rangi’ instead.
Mahinarangi translates to ‘moon in the sky’ in Maori.
Paris highlighted the cultural significance of her daughter’s name, explaining that it comes from the Ngāti Raukawa iwi (tribe) and carries an important ancestral history.
Maori names often embody a person’s heritage and lineage, known as whakapapa, and shortening or altering these names can be perceived as a sign of disrespect.
The mom explained how the experience mirrored past injustices faced by her ancestors, who had to change their original name, Perepe-Perana, to Phillips due to colonization.
Paris firmly stated: “I will not let something similar happen with my daughter.”
Determined to preserve her daughter’s cultural identity, Paris has taught Mahinarangi to break her name into syllables, enabling others to learn how to pronounce it correctly.
She hopes this will empower her daughter and educate others on the importance of respecting traditional names.
Paris also urges other parents to instill confidence in their children regarding their names, particularly names that carry cultural or ethnic significance.
The mom stressed: “It’s important for our kids to be confident in their names, regardless of their ethnicity.”
Related Article: Teachers Share The Kids’ Names Which They See As ‘Instant Red Flags’
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