Monday
Apr122010
My Name is Whaa? My name is Who?
Monday, April 12, 2010 at 05:28PM
That's a line from a song.
In the past few months, a few (happless victims) new folks have been commenting on my blog, and it occurred to me the other day that I've never met some of them in person. In fact, most of you have never met me, I think. Unless my husband, Adam or Britt have subscribed over 240 times in a concerted effort to make me feel better about myself. In which case, wow, guys, thanks.
Anyway, my name is Faiqa.
Yes, that is my real name.
It's pronounced, "Fike-ah."
Well, actually, no. It's pronounced "FaiQ-ah."
The difference, and yes, there is one, is that a "k" in transliterated Arabic has a softer sound than "q."
A lot of people don't realize this, as evidenced by their spelling of, say, "Qu'ran/Quran." It's not really "Koran," you know. Unless you're a nineteenth century British lord who wants to pontificate on the superstitious beliefs of the natives in a long and boring narrative aimed at justifying the colonization of the subcontinent. Speaking of boring. Ahem.
(Okay, I also have to add that I'm not entirely sure if "Koran" could be considered technically incorrect. I just know that it's not pronounced that way. Just like we're not "Moslems," either.)
Actually? I don't even pronounce my name correctly. Because, I don't feel like teaching non-Arabic speakers how to say the gutteral "k" sound every.single.time someone asks me my name.
I say it like this, "Fike-ah."
Faiqa means "superior" or "excellent." Naturally.
I've been asked a few times if anyone has ever given me a hard time about my name. Short answer? Yes. But, that's okay. This name? I love it. It defines me in so many ways. Not just because of its meaning, but because it's always set me apart from people... in a good way.
So, yeah, my name is Faiqa.
Nice to meet you.
In the past few months, a few (happless victims) new folks have been commenting on my blog, and it occurred to me the other day that I've never met some of them in person. In fact, most of you have never met me, I think. Unless my husband, Adam or Britt have subscribed over 240 times in a concerted effort to make me feel better about myself. In which case, wow, guys, thanks.
Anyway, my name is Faiqa.
Yes, that is my real name.
It's pronounced, "Fike-ah."
Well, actually, no. It's pronounced "FaiQ-ah."
The difference, and yes, there is one, is that a "k" in transliterated Arabic has a softer sound than "q."
A lot of people don't realize this, as evidenced by their spelling of, say, "Qu'ran/Quran." It's not really "Koran," you know. Unless you're a nineteenth century British lord who wants to pontificate on the superstitious beliefs of the natives in a long and boring narrative aimed at justifying the colonization of the subcontinent. Speaking of boring. Ahem.
(Okay, I also have to add that I'm not entirely sure if "Koran" could be considered technically incorrect. I just know that it's not pronounced that way. Just like we're not "Moslems," either.)
Actually? I don't even pronounce my name correctly. Because, I don't feel like teaching non-Arabic speakers how to say the gutteral "k" sound every.single.time someone asks me my name.
I say it like this, "Fike-ah."
Faiqa means "superior" or "excellent." Naturally.
I've been asked a few times if anyone has ever given me a hard time about my name. Short answer? Yes. But, that's okay. This name? I love it. It defines me in so many ways. Not just because of its meaning, but because it's always set me apart from people... in a good way.
So, yeah, my name is Faiqa.
Nice to meet you.
Reader Comments (64)
For the longest time, your name was "Fay-qua" in my head. And then I heard someone -- possibly Adam -- pronounce it on video and I was like, "Ah, that's better." Before that? I was terrified of someday meeting you in person and screwing it up. Heh.
I saw you at Adam's party in '08 but we were both a little bit past the tipsy stage and I never found out your name.
I "met" you a few weeks later on Karl's radio show.
I totally butchered your name and you totally forgave me.
I love you for that.
Also, I'm pretty sure I'm one of the jerks that says "qu'ran" wrong. I think I need a youtube how to or something.
Hi Fike-ah,
Please change your name and post again.
kthxbhaibai.
Hi. I am Kim. It's nice to meet you. I suck at commenting, but I am one of the 240 subscribers.
My name is RW. It's pronounced Rweh. I have met Adam and Britt and I still think you're ok.
Just for the record, more people write me and spell my name "Nacy" then "Nancy". How is that possible?
You are well named! ;P
"Faiqa means “superior” or “excellent.”"
I totally read that in a Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Keanu Reeves voice.
And I think you have the prettiest name of anyone I know.
Nice to meet you too, lovely one. I think Fike-ah means "lovely one"
Faiqa means “superior” or “excellent.” Naturally.
If you had not added the Naturally, I would have... you are excellent :)
So, do you suppose that we'll ever get our families together or will we just continue to talk about it? :)
The visual of you performing an Eminem song is almost too much to bear. Almost.
I do this too - I pronounce Pakistan the Sarah Palin way when talking to most people, and go back to the correct (or as close as I can get) pronunciation when talking to the natives. It's just easier than repeating it when they don't understand the "PaHK-us-THan"
(In my defense, most Pakistanis can't pronounce my name entirely correctly either. I've found they're not always great with the "TH" phonem in American English. I would hope I'm a gracious as you are with it.)
I pronounce it "pha-ker".
I got to meet you! I got to meet you!!
That makes me blessed.
:)
I think your name is beautiful. I have the fortune of working with people from all over the world, and I always feel bad when they choose to go by American names because coworkers can't pronounce their given names correctly.
Your so silly, my name's Becca, nice to meet you! :)
Funny I didn't learn how to say your name until I roasted you. hehe, my name is really Hocqeymandad and Patricq with the gutteral "k" sound. But I never say it lie that cause it wouldn't be so Irish as I am. :)
Your name is pretty effing Awesome. I wish I could say your husband's name as Awesome as you say it. Cause when I say it, it sounds rednecky.
OMG! I've been in your home! It's fantastic to meet you! ;)
Really, who hasn't had their name made fun of, right?
I think you should post a video of you saying your name correctly. Then that would be 240+ times that you wouldn't have to correct someone. :)
Hi! My name isn't Earl. ;)
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], ME TOO! The way she says his name is so beautiful, and it's so pathetic when I do that I don't even like to try.
I think you have one of the most beautiful names I've ever heard. Honestly. Although, I have to admit I prefer the bastardized version that you use to that other way.
And MAN I wish I could pronounce your husband's name the same way you do.
Also - I'm saying Muslims wrong? Really!?!? I can't believe you never told me that!!!
Nice to meet... hey, wait a minute... you look familiar... err... I mean you sound familiar... no, that's not it... hmm... ah... you have the same name as someone I know, that's it.
Nice to meet you again!
I really like your name. I have the most common of names and always wished for something more unique.
Hi, my name is Karl, an old-German name that is a derivative of Charles and means "free man."
What a crock. My parents had no idea what they were doing.
@Elizabeth Kaylene, There was no need to be terrified, it's a hard name! Sad I'm going to miss you when you're here.
@Sheila, I don't think mispronouncing something that's originates in a foreign language makes you a jerk... you're still okay in my book. More than okay. Fantastic.
@adnan., Heh. Any suggestions?
@Kim, Kim, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you commented.
@RW, OK?!! I am more than okay. I'm going to have to have a talk with those two...
@nancy, Why, why would they do that??!
@Karen, Keanu Reeves. He's Canadian, right?
@Nanna, You are the highlight of this coming August. And your competition is my entire family's birthdays and BlogHer. I hope I get to see you in person.
@Courtney, Yes, yes!! Get together is imminent!! I'll e-mail you. Er, soon. <3
@SciFi Dad, Oh, you have to see my Jay Z impression, then. It will give you nightmares.
@TheGoriWife, I'm sure you are. I'm surprised about the "th" thing, though. "Saath (together)", "haath (hand)," etc. There's even a letter devoted to that sound, so that *is* weird. They probably are just floored by the fact that you can understand them when they try to talk about you in Urdu. ;-)
@Avitable, You pronounce it, "Superior to me in every way." Pha-ker.
@Sybil Law, Ditto.
@Faiqa, I think it's because people generally do not pay attention, they don't know how to spell, and they are self-centered. I have the same problem w/ my last name. It's almost ALWAYS wrong, like stockdill, stockwell, stockton, stockdell, etc etc. My larger point is that no matter how common or how "exotic" a person's name is, most people will get it wrong. Even when my husband went by his middle name, which is JOHN, most people GOT IT WRONG! LOL
@Stacey, Aww, thank you. I try not to be judgmental about name changes, but that's never sat well with me. I would never consider it.
@Becca, Hi Becca. :)
@Hockeymandad, That's kwite interesting.
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], Hehehe... It's Thaarrriq. And thank you.
@Poppy, OMG, you have been in my home... one of my home's most wonderful moments!!
@Kimberly, This is a fantastic idea. And, really? Someone made fun of Kimberly?
@B.E. Earl, Someone should make a show called that. Ahem.
@Miss Britt, I don't think you're saying it wrong. I'm pretty sure I would have corrected you by now... because, hello, have you met me?
@Ren, Too late. Don't try to disavow me now.
@Lisa, My best friend throughout junior high and high school was named Lisa. For this reason, any time I meet a Lisa, I instantly like her.
@Karl, I like the name. They named you after Karl Marx, didn't they?! And it follows that this is why you voted for Obama. You SOCIALIST.