davidgagne.net

For reasons I have never been able to understand, people have a ridiculously hard time reading my last name. I can get it if you’re unfamiliar with the French pronunciation – GAHN-yay – but the Americanized version – GAG-knee – is pretty straightforward if you have even a passing understanding of phonics.

Here are the five most common mispronunciations I hear, usually from telemarketers:

• GAY-nje
• GAG-non
• GAG-en
• GAHN-jee
• GAY-juh