Accurate and respectful reporting is paramount in journalism, and this extends significantly to the pronunciation of names, particularly when covering diverse communities. Following the tragic events of the Atlanta spa shootings, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) has released a vital Pronunciation Guide to aid journalists and newsrooms in correctly pronouncing the names of victims with Chinese and Korean backgrounds. This guide serves as a crucial resource, emphasizing the importance of linguistic accuracy and cultural sensitivity in media coverage.
The nuances of Asian name pronunciation are multifaceted, influenced by regional dialects, personal preferences, and linguistic tones. While this pronunciation guide offers a valuable starting point, it is imperative that news organizations prioritize direct consultation with the families of victims or individuals within the relevant communities regarding their preferred name pronunciations. This direct approach ensures the utmost respect and accuracy in reporting. The AAJA pronunciation guide is designed to provide journalists with an example of how native speakers pronounce these names, facilitating a more informed and respectful approach to their reporting.
Developed with the expertise of native Mandarin and Korean speakers, the pronunciation guide includes a video resource featuring reporters Janice Yu and Frances Wang. In this video, they clearly articulate the correct pronunciation of each Chinese and Korean name associated with the victims. It is important to note that six of the eight victims of the Atlanta spa shootings were of Asian descent. The names included in the guide are:
- Soon Chung Park
- Hyun Jung Grant (Note: While the video guide uses Hyun Jung Grant, family members have used her maiden name, Hyun Jung Kim, in a crowdfunding effort.)
- Suncha Kim
- Yong Ae Yue
- Xiaojie (Emily) Tan
- Daoyou Feng
It is crucial to understand that the tonal representations within the pronunciation guide may not be entirely precise due to the initial unavailability of Hanzi and Hangul names during its creation. Reporters are encouraged to carefully mimic the pronunciations demonstrated in the video to achieve the closest possible accuracy. Furthermore, it is a common mistake to abbreviate Asian names assuming middle names exist. In both Chinese and Korean languages, first names frequently consist of two characters or two words, and should be presented in their entirety.
As the identities and stories of the victims continue to emerge, it is essential to center their narratives and amplify the voices within the affected community. Journalists are urged to consult with sources who knew the victims or members of the AAPI community to confirm the accurate spelling and pronunciation of Asian names. Variations in pronunciation may exist even within Korean and Chinese heritage communities due to regional dialectical differences.
For comprehensive guidance on covering the Atlanta shootings and addressing anti-Asian hate incidents, please refer to the AAJA’s full guidance. Utilizing this pronunciation guide and prioritizing direct community consultation are vital steps in ensuring respectful and accurate journalism when reporting on Asian individuals and communities.
