Miss Pronunciation

[bjarvis]

I had an unusual experience yesterday at the doctor's office.

While waiting for my appointment, a nurse came into the waiting area and called for Charles Harvess. No one stood up, but there were only four patients waiting, three of which were women. Not hearing my name called, I returned to reading Twitter on my mobile.

A few minutes later, the nurse came back and addressed me specifically. "Are you Charles Harvess?"

"No, I'm Brian Jarvis," i replied.

"Yeah, that's what I asked. Charles Harvess."

"I'm not Charles, I'm Brian. And I've never heard of anyone named Harvess before."

She showed me the papers. "Is this your name?"

And yes, it was indeed my name. So how does one read 'Brian Jarvis' and come out with 'Charles Harvess'? Seriously, how did my name become so difficult to pronounce to a native english speaker? More horrifying, do I want to deal with medical personnel who can't communicate a person's name effectively?

Comments

[billeyler]

Amazing!

[jss]

Jarvis to Harvess almost makes sense if they were more a Spanish speaker than an English speaker (cf. the pronunciation of "Jesus"). But Brian to Charles? That's scary. I'd definitely have a word with my clinic's office manager were such a thing to happen to me, though I'd probably wait until after the appointment.

Unless they pissed me off sufficiently, e.g. with an unscheduled delay or stupendously bad service, at which point I start with the CEO of the health system since my clinic is part of my hospital which is part of my university, and if they're gonna fuck up then I'm gonna rip 'em a new one.

[dendren]

I was going to say the same... Harvis I get totally. Charles. Poor thing must have a heck of a time in the real world LOL

[westwind_mv]

It's hard to imagine "Brian" becoming "Charles" no matter how good or bad the English is. Interesting anecdote!

[fogbear]

Chuck, one of you was having a psychotic break. Maybe you've been saying it wrong all these years.

Seriously, though, she sounds like she needs some help.