Most people mispronounce the word "ewe". It's pronounced the same way we pronounce the word "you". And what is a ewe? According to Merriam Webster, it is a female sheep.
Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning ewe. And oftentimes, the name is also mispronounced. In Hebrew, it is pronounced as "Rey-chel" and not "Rah-shel" or "Rey-shel", worse "Ret-shel" or "Ret-sel". Of course, each person who has this name would have different ways of pronouncing it.
For some, how people pronounce their name is not a big deal. But for others, it is. And still for others, it depends. If the person calling your name is a casual acquaintance or maybe a stranger, it won't matter. But if your colleague or close friends whom you see every so often would continue to mispronounce your name, that is a different story.
Why the brouhaha over names? They're just titles after all! Or are they? Names are very personal, one of the possessions one has that could not be snatched away. How would you identify people if not for their names? How you spell and pronounce one's name is of utmost importance. An additional letter or a missed letter may identify a completely different person. One caveat, if you will be using the name in formal occasions or for public documents, there is no excuse for misspelling or mispronunciation. So, in these situations, as a matter of courtesy, ask the person how his or her name is spelt and how it is pronounced.
And as for me - I know who I am and however people call me would not change any bit of my being. How wonderful to know who we belong to and who has called us by name! Like sweet music to our ears...
Still intrigued? Look up the word...and say ewe!
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning ewe. And oftentimes, the name is also mispronounced. In Hebrew, it is pronounced as "Rey-chel" and not "Rah-shel" or "Rey-shel", worse "Ret-shel" or "Ret-sel". Of course, each person who has this name would have different ways of pronouncing it.
For some, how people pronounce their name is not a big deal. But for others, it is. And still for others, it depends. If the person calling your name is a casual acquaintance or maybe a stranger, it won't matter. But if your colleague or close friends whom you see every so often would continue to mispronounce your name, that is a different story.
Why the brouhaha over names? They're just titles after all! Or are they? Names are very personal, one of the possessions one has that could not be snatched away. How would you identify people if not for their names? How you spell and pronounce one's name is of utmost importance. An additional letter or a missed letter may identify a completely different person. One caveat, if you will be using the name in formal occasions or for public documents, there is no excuse for misspelling or mispronunciation. So, in these situations, as a matter of courtesy, ask the person how his or her name is spelt and how it is pronounced.
And as for me - I know who I am and however people call me would not change any bit of my being. How wonderful to know who we belong to and who has called us by name! Like sweet music to our ears...
Still intrigued? Look up the word...and say ewe!
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
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