Mum’s anger as nursery shortens daughter’s name ‘because it’s too hard to pronounce’
Mother’s anger as daycare abbreviates daughter’s name ‘because it’s too hard to pronounce’
The story of a mother who was angry after her daughter’s nursery shortened the girl’s name, saying it was “too hard” to pronounce, has surfaced online.
Two years ago, the story of then-five-year-old Mahinarangi Tautu, whose name means “moon in the sky,” made headlines when it emerged that her name had previously been shortened to “Rangi” by childcare teachers who said it was “too difficult to pronounce.” ‘.
And despite being described as one of the most beautiful in the world, Mahinarangi, from Palmerston North in New Zealand’s North Island, became the center of ridicule when she started school.
According to her mother Paris, fellow students would not even try to pronounce the child’s name, and would laugh at it, which upset her.
She added that Mahinarangi was so distraught by the bullying at the time that she didn’t even try to correct people if they mispronounced her name.
Mahinarangi Tautu had her name shortened to ‘Rangi’ by childcare teachers in Palmerston North in New Zealand’s North Island – because they said her name was too difficult to pronounce
When the story first emerged two years ago, Paris (pictured with her daughter) said other schoolchildren laughed at her daughter’s name and didn’t even bother to pronounce it.
Paris Taut added: ‘Can you imagine your child being too embarrassed to pronounce his name because people won’t make a decent effort to pronounce it properly?
“I am sad that in 2021, in Aotearoa, a five-year-old girl has lost the pride that comes with her beautiful name.”
In describing the origin of the name Mahinarangi, Paris said that it was passed down from generation to generation and has tremendous meaning for the family.
She continued, “Mahinarangi is a prominent tūpuna in my iwi. I taught my daughter the meaning of her name and how much mana it has.
“I tell her to be strong and proud, like her tūpuna.”
According to Paris, she used to live in Australia but moved to Australia New Zealand when she found out she was pregnant.
She said: ‘I wanted my daughter to be surrounded by her own culture and not have to worry about things like this!”
In order for her teacher’s daughters to be able to pronounce the name Mahinarangi, Paris explained to them how to say it.
According to her mother, Mahinarangi now feels a sense of pride when people try their best to pronounce her name
But, she then said: ‘When I went to pick her up one day, I heard she was fobbed off because a teacher called her ‘Rangi’ and she didn’t respond.
‘She was two and had no idea who Rangi was. That same week I took her out.’
After the incident, Paris moved Mahinarangi to a kindergarten, where she received great support.
She added that she had also helped her daughter overcome any shyness and not be afraid to correct her peers.
“I taught her to break her name into single syllables to educate people and help them with the correct pronunciation. She feels proud when people try.’