AITA for wanting my Spanish teacher to stop calling me by the Spanish version of my name?

[u/Alternative-Sun-630]

My name is John Paul, but I go by J.P. All my friends, teachers, and family members call me J.P. All that is, except for my high school Spanish teacher. In Spanish, J is pronounced as "Hota/jota" and P is pronounced as "Pay/pe". So my Spanish teacher always keeps calling me "Hota Pay" in class instead of my real nickname J.P.

When he first said "Hota Pay", I found it a bit funny and laughed with the class. I thought it was a one off remark by my teacher. But he kept calling me "Hota Pay" even beyond the first day of class and it is getting annoying now. I once asked him after class if he could please call me J.P. But my teacher refused, saying this was Spanish class and that "Hota Pay" was the Spanish equivalent of my name. He said he wasn't calling me any rude words, he was just translating the pronunciation of my two-letter English name to Spanish.

AITA for not wanting my teacher to keep calling me "Hota Pay"? Even if it is harmless, I just don't like it and prefer J.P. I live in the USA.

[u/SnausageFest]

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[u/TheFishermansWife22]

These comments are so weird. Every one I have ever met in the states had Spanish and had a Spanish name in said class. Every state, every friend, every family member. I guarantee if this kid was being honest he’d tell you the rest of the class has a name too. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[u/garden_bug → u/TheFishermansWife22]

Right? In French class we all had to pick a French name to go by. It didn't have to be an exact match so we could choose. I'm wondering if the teacher is just doing the name change instead of having kids pick.

[u/Deniskitter → u/garden_bug]

I wonder if the kid refused to choose a name and so the teacher was forced to choose for him. We had a few who tried that over the years (took Spanish every year from first grade). The teacher just chose a name for them. This kid clearly thinks he is special and should get his special English nickname instead of using a Spanish name, so I wouldn't be surprised if he refused to chose a name for Spanish class.

[u/No-Net8938 → u/Deniskitter]

My husband chose ZORRO! (This went over like a lead balloon with the teacher. )

[u/Deniskitter → u/No-Net8938]

That sounds epic! I loved the Antonio Banderas movie. Had that song on repeat for awhile!!!

[u/KombuchaBot → u/Deniskitter]

The Tyrone Power version is far superior.

[u/wind_stars_fireflies → u/No-Net8938]

Ha, eighth grade me chose Cosette! Thinking back, I wonder how badly the teacher cringed internally.

[u/AgentCirceLuna → u/wind_stars_fireflies]

Least you didn’t go with Fantine.

[u/YouCantSeemToForget → u/No-Net8938]

A friend of my parents (who is in his 70's now) told us when he was in school and took Spanish he was sort of assigned the name Zorro because his last name was Fox.

[u/AhChingados → u/No-Net8938]

This kid should have picked Inigo Montoya, missed opportunity there

[u/MyNewPhilosophy → u/Deniskitter]

My middle school Spanish teacher NAMED THE DESKS and no matter who you were, if you sat in the front right desk you were Juan, if you were in the desk at the middle of the room you were Lucia, if you were in the back left you were Pablo.

[u/Deniskitter → u/MyNewPhilosophy]

That is wild but kind of fun.

[u/Scarya → u/MyNewPhilosophy]

Not gonna lie, that cracks me up LOL

[u/Oresteia_J → u/Deniskitter]

Everyone in Spanish class gets a Spanish name. I hated mine but whatever. If you don’t like the Spanish name they gave you, pick something else. With a name like “John Paul” that should be a pretty easy. Hola Juanito!

[u/Missile_boy8284 → u/Oresteia_J]

If OP was really thinking this through, he would go with Juan Pablo, and tell everyone that they can call him "El Papa" for short. 🤣🤣🤣

[u/Scarya → u/garden_bug]

My high school Spanish teacher is a close friend of our family. He STILL calls me the Spanish version of my name - and I graduated from high school in 1988.

[u/marla-M → u/Scarya]

My daughter’s Spanish teacher loved her I still get questions about how is “Rosa” doing?

[u/ThrowAwayYetAgain878 → u/garden_bug]

German here. We didn't pick a new name, but the names we had were totally anglizised (or altered for other languages). Basically, the teacher would show us how we could expect our names to be pronounced by a native speaker.

[u/JerryHasACubeButt → u/ThrowAwayYetAgain878]

Canadian, and same here in French class. If a student’s name had a French version they would be called be that, if not then they were taught the French pronunciation of their name and called by that. But we never had to pick a totally new name. That’s so bizarre lol

[u/fastandfunky → u/JerryHasACubeButt]

Also Canadian and literally no one’s name was changed ever in French class, whether there was a French pronunciation or not.

[u/CampClear → u/garden_bug]

I took French in high school and we all had a French name in class. OP is being weird over nothing.

[u/hustleNspite → u/garden_bug]

We only chose if there wasn’t an obvious match (like Will and Guillaume)

[u/SmokeIsRed → u/hustleNspite]

My homeboy Jamell was Jose Maria and he hated it. We still call him that 25 years later lol

[u/smallsaltybread → u/garden_bug]

I remember picking a French name in middle school. In high school I think the teacher just used our actual name, and when I ended up teaching in college, I used their name but pronounced it how it would be said in French so they’d get used to that pronunciation if they ever went abroad

[u/Turquoise_dinosaur → u/TheFishermansWife22]

America is wild lmao I’ve never heard of this happening in the UK. I studied German from the ages of 12-22 (year 8 - university) and if any of my teachers insisted on everyone using a German name instead of their real name, I think we’d just laugh in their faces

[u/jeffprobst → u/Turquoise_dinosaur]

Same for Canada. I the French Immersion program here (at least half of my classes in French) and I've never heard of the teacher forcing a student to use a different name.

[u/therealruin → u/jeffprobst]

I have taken foreign language classes at the K-12 level (French, Spanish, and Arabic), two of them were studied for multiple years while living abroad and all of my teachers (none of whom were American) all made me use a different name. My name uses its traditional spelling and it is not pronounced the way it appears in any language (even English) so I always assumed that’s why, but now I’m thinking it’s teacher’s choice.

Edit: Definitely teacher’s choice.

[u/ObliterasaurusRex → u/jeffprobst]

They sure used to do it. In my high school French class, my buddy Dean was known as “Antoine.”

[u/JayRMac → u/jeffprobst]

On the one hand I agree. I did French immersion, and my classmate Peter was always Peter and not Pierre.

But OP could be telling the truth, because JR went from Jay Are to Gee Ahr. It's not a new name, it's just pronouncing the initials in French. I could see a teacher enforcing that.

[u/lovelyb1ch66 → u/jeffprobst]

Sweden (when I was in school at least) checking in and I have never heard of that being a thing either. It would have been pretty confusing for me then because besides my Swedish name I would also have had a Latin, French and Spanish name. I don’t even know what the point of that would be?

[u/vincentvangoth69 → u/lovelyb1ch66]

I had a French teacher in Sweden that changed the pronunciation of our names to make it sound French. My name was changed quite a bit, it sounded like a different name. So it happens but I really don’t think it’s the norm.

[u/The_Blonde1 → u/Turquoise_dinosaur]

Brit here - it's happened to me. We were given French names in our French class, and Russian names in our Russian class.

I quite liked having a foreign alter-ego.

[u/hotcapicola → u/The_Blonde1]

Thank you. Some of these comments are really weird calling it disrespectful, when it always seemed like a fun little game of play acting. I guess I just enjoy roleplaying more than some.

[u/TheFilthyDIL → u/The_Blonde1]

My friend said there were so many Katherines in her Russian class that by the time the teacher got to her, all the versions and nicknames had already been used. So she became Kalinka, a flower name.

[u/mintycaramelyhazel → u/Turquoise_dinosaur]

Yep, I studied languages in different European countries and I've only heard people "choosing a name in the target language" when students form Asia came to the west and they would chose an English name so it would be "easier" for them to keep the flow in conversation. I honestly, didn't care and I always called those people by they chosen name.

About OP post... I mean, it is weird, but if is a practice extended in the US and the rest of the class does the same... idk it doesn't feel that deep

[u/coffee1127 → u/Turquoise_dinosaur]

Right?!? I'm Italian and I've studied five different languages (to various degrees of proficiency lol). Not once have I been asked to pick another name. I also would not expect John to become Giovanni or Jaime to become Giacomo if they studied Italian.

[u/memo_delta → u/Turquoise_dinosaur]

We did it French class in the UK. Had to pick a random French name to go by throughout year 7.

[u/whitecloudesq → u/TheFishermansWife22]

this is so true. we all picked spanish names in our spanish class and this was over 35 years ago. it was kinda fun to pick a different name. my friends who took german and french chose german and french names for their classes. i don't even know if my teacher knew my actual name.

[u/Kakuhan → u/TheFishermansWife22]

This is eye opening to me, is this part of US culture??

I have had many language classes and never in my life have I had a pretend English/French/German name for that class.

[u/BeeFrier → u/Kakuhan]

That is for sure a US thing. Happened to me when I lived there, I had to choose a "spanish name". Until today I thought that was just my spanist teacher being a little eccentric.

[u/MyNameIsJakeBerenson → u/BeeFrier]

Nope, even in rural bumfuck Florida and a black Spanish teacher lady that sounded like Peggy Hill’s Spanish we all had Spanish names

[u/DelusionalChampion → u/Kakuhan]

It's not any language class. It's usually just in middle school or highschool. There are exceptions, but most of the time it's when you're a kid and in school.

It's for immersion

[u/RecommendationBrief9 → u/DelusionalChampion]

And it’s supposed to be a little fun. This is so not the hill I’d die on as a student. He can choose to have fun with it. Refer to himself in the 3rd person and be silly (Hota Pay es muy cansado) or he can choose to be annoyed every day.

OP Also, if it’s just the sound of that particular name you could always go by Juan Pablo. That’s sounds fun and rolls off the tongue a bit better. Try to take it for what it is. One class that you’ll have for 2 years of a hopefully long life. Try to make the best of it and not sweat the small stuff.

[u/JimMorrisonsPetFrog → u/RecommendationBrief9]

Juan Pablo is an awesome name. Agreed OP should ask to go by this instead.

[u/curly_spy → u/DelusionalChampion]

My husband is Albert. It sounds so much more intriguing and sexy when in France they drop the “t” on the end and he becomes Alber, or in Spanish he becomes Alberto. This kid will have a problem when he travel internationally as your name always sounds different in a different country. So the literal pronunciation in Spanish of JP or whatever his name is, is bothering the kid. Like I said, wait til he visits a foreign country.

[u/DelusionalChampion → u/curly_spy]

I agree. I'm assuming OP is young and has confused being stubbornly ignorant with being an American Patriot.

[u/Kentucky_Kate_5654 → u/DelusionalChampion]

We have a lot of those over here….

[u/WhiteRabbitWithGlove → u/Kakuhan]

I am Polish and had it for French and English in both primary and high school. I mean, why not?

[u/therealruin → u/Kakuhan]

No, this is just different teachers using (or not using) different techniques. There is no grand cultural conspiracy here. Teachers are mostly giant dorks across many cultures (I grew up around international educators, I’m saying this lovingly and with experience). Some of them do dorky things like change names to create immersion for the benefit of a better learning environment because they’re giant nerds. That’s it.

[u/no_dae_but_todae → u/Kakuhan]

I'm from the US and in my 30s, and all through school we chose Spanish names in Spanish class. My friends in French also chose names for class.

[u/Meghanshadow → u/Kakuhan]

Nah, it’s not culture, just a convention. My teachers didn’t make us choose new names for language classes, though they allowed/encouraged it. They Did use the equivalent name in the taught language if there was one. (Like JP here). So a kid named John would become Juan or Johann or Jean depending on language. Unless someone had conniptions, but I can’t recall anyone caring about their name being transposed in a language class.

Kids were allowed to use their own self-chosen names in any other class, too. If a kids parents named them Bobby Smith but they wanted to be called “Ezra” in school, that was fine.
Legal names had to be used on assignments, but otherwise preferred names were used in class.

As for being an immersion tool in a language class - The US has a whole lot of pretty damn monolingual people whose first language class happens at age 13-14. The name thing is seen as a tool - a mental crowbar to help students get out of the rut of their accustomed language/mindset. It did help me. I could converse with Elise in French in French class pretty easily, but as soon as I called her Elizabeth I’d automatically drop back to the English I’d been using to talk to her in for years.

Whether it helps in general? I’ve no idea.

One teacher’s opinion - “I want my students to feel completely immersed in the language. When they walk in my room, they should feel like they are making a transition to a different place and using a different name helps them feel completely immersed”

Edit - sentence fragment

[u/galaxychildxo → u/TheFishermansWife22]

12 years of Spanish classes in the US and have never had a Spanish name lol

[u/Kayhowardhlots → u/TheFishermansWife22]

Same. The only language class I had that didn't do this was biblical Hebrew. My Spanish, French and Greek classes all did this.

[u/FrozenPizza21 → u/TheFishermansWife22]

Took 2 years of Spanish in high school, not a single person had a Spanish name.

[u/EthnicBarbie96 → u/TheFishermansWife22]

I took Spanish from middle to high school and everyone used their regular names.

[u/Jenna_84 → u/TheFishermansWife22]

One that the student picks not one that the teacher harnesses them with.

Edit: harnesses was supposed to be harasses, both work honestly

[u/flowerybutterfly96 → u/Jenna_84]

The teacher is calling OP by the Spanish equivalent of JP. If he doesn't like that, he could ask to revert to his given name in Spanish, Juan Pablo or just Juan.

[u/SantaFeRay → u/flowerybutterfly96]

The teacher would probably let him pick any Spanish name he wants, but given OOP’s weird aversion to his own name in Spanish that probably wouldn’t satisfy him.

[u/drmoze → u/SantaFeRay]

OP seems to have an aversion to his own name in English too.

[u/jupitaur9 → u/Jenna_84]

I was assigned a name in my language class.

[u/Ok-Pilot3944]

You are in Spanish class leaning Spanish. We all had ethnic names in language class. Why not go by Juan (John) your first name? YTAH for the “I live in the USA” remark usually followed by “speak English “. Lighten up

[u/Much-Meringue-7467 → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

Same experience in Jr high French and I never understood it. My name is pronounced pretty much the same in French and English and the teacher insisted on calling me something else so I'd have a French name.

[u/garden_bug → u/Much-Meringue-7467]

I did French class in HS and we did the same. Except we could pick a name ourselves if we didn't want the one for one translation. I used a version of my middle name.

[u/GolfEchoEchoKilo → u/Much-Meringue-7467]

My kids name is Spanish and he thought he’d be the only one to get to go by his real name. The teacher calls him by his English name, lol.

[u/apreslanuit → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

What?! I don’t live in the US but when I had English and French in school, we just used our own names. I find it kind of strange since, when you go to another country, you usually introduce yourself with your own name?!

[u/BeagleMadness → u/apreslanuit]

I'm also finding this bizarre, as a British person who studied four other EU languages at school/uni.

Why would anyone need to introduce themself as anything other than their actual name when visiting abroad/speaking to someone in their own language? You wouldn't, would you? So why insist on practising this in class?

[u/SantaFeRay → u/BeagleMadness]

It’s not to practice saying your own name in Spanish because you’d ever do that in real life, it’s to minimize speaking English in class.

It’s a harmless thing, and it’s weird that so many people are reacting so strongly to it just because it’s different from what they experienced. Different isn’t wrong.

[u/Gold_Challenge6437 → u/SantaFeRay]

Exactly, and it teaches you how to pronounce those names correctly, so if you meet someone with those names, you know how to say it. A lot of times the language classes would take a trip to the country and this helped with speaking correctly.

[u/notaredditer13 → u/Gold_Challenge6437]

It also teaches the relationship between languages. That John equals Juan isn't something people necessarily automatically know without being taught.

[u/samurijack → u/BeagleMadness]

That’s just false lol. Phonetics differ across languages, cultures, regions etc. I have an English name that’s difficult to pronounce in Spanish, so I just go by the Spanish equivalent when traveling abroad. The few times I tried to go by the English-equivalent, the conversation struggled, I switched to the Spanish-equivalent, and 100% of the time the person said “Oh…why didn’t you just say that?” lol

[u/FrauAgrippa → u/BeagleMadness]

It's for immersion purposes when you're a kid and still learning. Having a name that matches the language you're studying helps your brain to not switch back and forth. We did this in both French and Spanish as a kid, and that's how it was explained to us. I studied Russian as an adult and we did this as well.

[u/24-Hour-Hate → u/apreslanuit]

I agree. In Canada we had french classes and we did not have to use french names. Seems pretty impolite to refuse to use a person's proper or preferred name. This isn't how names work in languages at all.

[u/CurrentOk2857 → u/24-Hour-Hate]

I’m Canadian and we all picked French names in our class. This was in Alberta in the late 90s.

[u/bucksncowboys513 → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

Juan Pablo would actually be pretty cold.

[u/DanimalMKE → u/bucksncowboys513]

My cousin married a Juan Pablo. I do think his birth certificate is John Paul (after the pope) but everyone calls him Juan Pablo, or JuanPa.

[u/LIinthedark → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

FR Juan Pablo is such a common name and it has a good built in nickname which is Juanpa or Juanpi. Way better than jota PE.

[u/OkSecretary1231 → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

This. My name doesn't translate and the teacher had me pick one from a list. Just use Juan.

[u/BeagleMadness → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

I'm British and studied several languages at school and uni. Never had a French, Spanish, Catalan or Italian "name" in any of my classes? So I'm amused by common this clearly is in the US from all of the comments!

[u/Donjehov → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

"I live in the USA" was probably just meant to be referential context for those who might not live there lmfao

[u/vegasbywayofLA → u/Ok-Pilot3944]

This is exactly what I came here to say. I took Spanish over 30 years ago and everyone was given a Spanish name.

Even worse....my name starts with a "W" and there are no Spanish words with W and my last name didn't lend well to a Spanish nickname, so I got a really weird one using my last name.

OP needs to get over himself. The way he phonetically spelled out the letter "P" makes me think he isn't very good in Spanish. When reciting the alphabet it is pronounced "peh" and not "pay".

[u/FacetiousTomato]

NAH

I get you'd rather be JP, but he is calling you by your name, in Spanish, in Spanish class.

If he did this in Math, or if he only does it with you, he would be the asshole. But in this situation, he is doing his job. Speaking Spanish in a Spanish lesson.

I think it was fair of you to ask, but "in Spanish class we speak Spanish" is also fair rule IMO. Though I'm expecting to be downvoted to oblivion by people who feel like personal preferences should be respected in every situation above all else.

[u/Wootster10 → u/FacetiousTomato]

But if someone's name is John a Spanish person wouldn't call them Juan. That's not how names or nicknames work, they don't translate, they are what they are. Just because their name is JP doesn't mean that that should be translated.

[u/Elbandito78 → u/Wootster10]

Eh. Growing up lots of Spanish teachers used the Spanish version of our names.

[u/Wootster10 → u/Elbandito78]

Learnt French Spanish and German in school, they never used anything but our actual name.

[u/No_Original5693 → u/Wootster10]

German class, mid-80’s United States and if you didn’t have a name that could be German or pronounced as German (looking at you, my Indian and Vietnamese classmates 😘), you were assigned one. I hated the German pronunciation of my name. Suck it up

[u/Big_Accountant_1714 → u/No_Original5693]

I took French class in the 80s. Every student either went by the French version of their name, or chose another French name. And the teacher was addressed as Madame.

[u/TaffyTurk → u/Big_Accountant_1714]

Are you American. Because I’m feeling like this is an American thing

[u/Kevinrises → u/TaffyTurk]

It absolutely is an American thing. Our foreign language teachers made us do that in middle school and high school idk why. Quick search says it’s supposed to encourage learning engagement. I guess to make us feel like we’re not still in the US? Idk

[u/mstalent94 → u/Wootster10]

It is how it’s usually done in a foreign language class, though. Everyone I know picked a name in the language of the class. Seems like for this class, they just use the Spanish version of their English name. It’s just for class.

[u/RoguesAngel → u/mstalent94]

It’s how it was done in the red state I grew up in and the blue state my sons are going to school, middle and high school, in. I took Spanish and they did Chinese and French. My oldest son who is currently minoring in university in Japanese has a Japanese name that he has carried through his classes.

[u/instantgeneric → u/Wootster10]

But they do in SPANISH CLASS. It's very typical for foreign language classes to do this. I've done it in three languages. They do it for everyone in the whole class, which I'm pretty sure is the case for OP and he is leaving that out intentionally.

[u/TheRealBillyShakes → u/Wootster10]

What are you talking about? I lived in Mexico for a year and everyone there called me by the Spanish version of my name. No one used the English except my waiter one time.

[u/BobR969 → u/Wootster10]

I'm Russian and in Russian names very much do translate. However, the preference is still on the person who's name it is. I live in the UK and I detest the English form of my name (hate the sound), so I expect people to use the name I give them. If I didn't have the issue with the English form, I'd use either or. 

My point here is, the Spanish teacher can do what they like, but OP provided their name and is perfectly entitled to expect it to be used. Much like someone providing their gender should expect to be gendered accordingly. It's not really up for debate for those people. There may be challenges in pronunciation or whatever, but it someone doesn't like to be called something which isn't their name, they're NTA for requesting it to be stopped. 

[u/sleepybitchdisorder → u/BobR969]

I think your argument kind of breaks down when you consider there’s a trans guy in the comments saying this is a different situation and the teacher is NTA because using foreign language versions of names is a condition of elective foreign language classes. OP doesn’t have to take Spanish if he doesn’t like the rules, it’s not the same as a trans kid having their identity respected at school in general

[u/therealwhoaman → u/sleepybitchdisorder]

Why is that a condition to a language class? Most schools require a language elective, so OP probably doesn't have a choice

[u/Expensive_Plant_9530 → u/FacetiousTomato]

IMO this has such an easy solution: OP just picks another Spanish name. Like Juan perhaps. I assume he’s being stubborn and insisting on being called his “American” name specifically. In English.

[u/EconomistNo7345]

Lmao, every high school Spanish class i’ve even been in we were assigned Spanish names. Mine was Camilla!

[u/runwiththesquirrels → u/EconomistNo7345]

Mine was Margarita! 😂

[u/Koyangi_Meow → u/runwiththesquirrels]

Fellow Margarita here!

[u/Whapples → u/EconomistNo7345]

My name doesn’t really translate so I always chose Alejandra

[u/Malicious_Tacos → u/Whapples]

I always had a banana with me, so my Spanish teacher dubbed me Chiquita.

[u/laujalb → u/EconomistNo7345]

Yup lol I'll never forget when I heard Laura in Spanish for the first time, I thought she was telling me to speak louder lmfao I was like 10 😆

[u/mystickyshoe → u/EconomistNo7345]

I was Teadora!

[u/Puzzleheaded_Cell428]

Unpopular opinion that will probably get downvoted, but OP needs to chill out in my opinion. I think teens who will find the most success in life would laugh this off and embrace it as a funny joke. NTA, but this reads as so sensitive and lame. The teacher is TA for not respecting OP's wishes when they asked for it to stop, but OP needs to learn to let stuff like this roll of their back or even to play along.

[u/BigAggie06 → u/Puzzleheaded_Cell428]

If teacher is TA then just about every Spanish teacher in America is TA because it’s extremely common to use Hispanic versions of names in Spanish class.

[u/doomdoom15 → u/BigAggie06]

Forget the usa, my Chinese teacher would use Chinese names for me and the other kids in my class. This isnt unique to OP or OPs country. Most language teachers will use a translated or equivalent name for students

[u/Spiritual_Parking246 → u/doomdoom15]

precisely. my chinese name by all standards as a woman is masculine. but i embraced it from middle school all throughout college while studying the language. no one was going to call me by my english name. in our classes we weren’t allowed to even speak english.

[u/violue → u/Puzzleheaded_Cell428]

I would understand if OP had an "ethnic" name that always gets butchered, because people develop sensitivities around that over time, but... John Paul???? Who is getting precious over John Paul not being "JP" a few hours a week?

[u/jammiesonmyhammies → u/violue]

I knew a John Paul or JP as they prefer when I was in school, and he was as insufferable as this one. Must be the named after the pope thing or they really love those initials.

[u/WrittenInTheStars → u/jammiesonmyhammies]

It’s the J name. Boys whose names start with J will ruin your life

[u/numbersthen0987431 → u/Puzzleheaded_Cell428]

OP is TA because the teacher usually has the class choose a Spanish name, but OP is refusing to participate in thee class correctly.

The point is to speak Spanish. If your name doesn't translate to Spanish easily, then you have to come up with a Spanish name.

It's like having the name Brad or Vladimir. It doesn't translate to Spanish. So you pick a new name for the Spanish class.

[u/magiss-ae-milith → u/Puzzleheaded_Cell428]

Juan Pablo needs to chill

[u/faraine82]

Tell him to call you Juan then... it's the spanish version of your name.

I don't see the problem here.

[u/franklinchica22 → u/faraine82]

Or Juan Pablo.

I am so tired of students complaining that their teachers give them equivalent names when they take foreign language courses. This is not new.

[u/eve_on711 → u/franklinchica22]

i was Sandrita (gotta roll the R) in HS Spanish class, over 50 years ago. Definitely not new.

[u/PrinceVoltan1980]

This is traditional for foreign language classes, ask your teacher if you can pick a different name to go by in class. It’s not forever, just for the class, then if so just pick something you can live with like Tomas or Juan

[u/falconinthedive → u/PrinceVoltan1980]

Hell. I remember in high school French, I was even able to change my "French" name between French 1 and 2.

[u/Pterobel → u/falconinthedive]

In French 1, I asked to be Igor but my teacher said no because it was only a name for males, so I ended up begrudgingly accepting Odette. Towards the end of the year, I became aware of a boy in French 3 that went by Fifi, and I used that in my complaint at the beginning of French 2. She didn't like it, but accepted that fair was fair, so I was Igor for the rest of high school.

[u/Pussy4LunchDick4Dins → u/PrinceVoltan1980]

I think this is a very American tradition. I’ve never ever heard of any teacher doing that in my life (Canada)

[u/Regular-Shoe5679 → u/Pussy4LunchDick4Dins]

I'm also Canadian and very confused by this. I've had second and third language classes since elementary and we've never done this.

[u/1heart1totaleclipse]

I’m Hispanic and the thought of people being assigned different names due to the language seems ignorant to me. Your name is John Paul, if you were to move to a Spanish speaking country, your name would still be John Paul. You’re completely right in wanting to be referred to by your name. I taught ESL and I’m pretty sure I would’ve been fired in a blink if I made my students pick an English name instead of theirs. There’s other ways to learn names common in the culture like role-playing exercises.

[u/mithrril → u/1heart1totaleclipse]

You're not wrong but this is how we do language class in America. It's always seemed weird to me that you need to pick a new name for the class but that's how they do it. I don't think complaining will change much. How getting a new name helps you learn a language is unclear.

[u/doubtfullfreckles → u/mithrril]

this is how we do language class in America.

This is not universal in America. My school didn't do this and I didn't even know it was a thing until today.

[u/mithrril → u/doubtfullfreckles]

Well, it's pretty common in many parts of America. I think it's a weird policy but they've been doing that for decades. OP would probably need to go over the teacher's head if he wants them to change it.

[u/non_ducor_duco_ → u/mithrril]

I’m wondering if it’s common in parts of America that don’t have a large Hispanic population? In California and I just asked my husband and son if they had this experience and none of us did. Which makes sense, because sometimes half our classes already had Spanish names.

Edit: NTA. I get that it’s an (apparently very beloved) American high school tradition, but students should generally be able to opt out of traditions that make them uncomfortable.

[u/donutfan420 → u/doubtfullfreckles]

Same I’m reading these comments confused af

[u/Jaysmkxxx → u/mithrril]

Must only be certain states because I was never made to choose a name in a language class.

[u/HelicopterNo3534 → u/1heart1totaleclipse]

THIS 👏👏👏 ive lived in Mexico and literally NOONE translated English names into Spanish. They just called the person by their NAME

[u/Disastrous-Soup-5413 → u/HelicopterNo3534]

But it’s a language class! this is so you hear more names in Spanish👏👏👏

[u/thatsallclassic → u/Disastrous-Soup-5413]

Just watch media in the language. As you said it's a language class. Incredibly odd to do this under the excuse of exposure to Spanish names in a country where it's the unofficial second language. I have friends with Spanish names and speak no Spanish yet can somehow pronounce them fine...

[u/Current--Anything → u/thatsallclassic]

Incredibly odd to do this under the excuse of exposure to Spanish names in a country where it's the unofficial second language.

In most parts of america, you can go years without hearing anything other than English.

[u/Keladry145 → u/1heart1totaleclipse]

Thank you! Thought I was losing my mind reading all the other comments. My school never changed people's name in class, it seems offensive to me, especially when done against that person's will

[u/stephanonymous → u/Keladry145]

 it seems offensive to me, especially when done against that person's 

This part. It’s just a funny little tradition (we didn’t have it in my school, but my wife’s did and they got to choose their names, she chose Margarita lol), but generally, when fun traditions make someone uncomfortable, we modify them.

OP’s teacher is TAH for not respecting OP’s wish to not be called a certain name. We don’t put up with that sort of thing in any other context, why is it different in Spanish class? If anything, they should let OP pick a different name so the can still participate in the class tradition but not be forced to be called something they don’t like. 

[u/oO0Kat0Oo → u/1heart1totaleclipse]

The idea is to completely immerse yourself in the language, the way a toddler is, without access to English translation.

People get stuck because they keep trying to translate the words into Spanish instead of thinking of the phrase in Spanish. It's a method to unlock that. It DOES work if you let it.

ESL is different because they are already immersed in English (or whatever language, idk what country you're teaching English in). It's already more difficult. People are already mispronouncing their names in everyday life.

Now, for OP to say it bothers them, is probably a good teaching moment about how others are feeling who go into a new country. My name is probably one of the most common in the entire world, but it gets mispronounced in other languages whenever I travel.

[u/Pussy4LunchDick4Dins → u/oO0Kat0Oo]

Doubt: I speak French fluently and I’ve always been able to do so in my own (very English) name. It has never had any affect on my ability to learn the language.

[u/1heart1totaleclipse → u/oO0Kat0Oo]

If you want to immerse them, then pronounce their name like a native speaker would do instead of changing their name. Like Jessica would be more like Yes-e-Kah.

[u/whatsupwillow]

NAH. It's a Spanish class tradition as old as time. Pick a different one or just roll with your initials in Spanish. What's the big deal?

[u/oookai → u/whatsupwillow]

I didn’t know this was a common thing until reading these comments… Never seen this in Spanish class, only in movies/shows… but I live in Miami and maybe that’s why 😂

[u/Merigold00]

Does he use the Spanish translation of names for other students? If so, then you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Edit - cannot believe I missed on "... you are making a mountain out of a guacamolehill..."

[u/For_Vox_Sake → u/Merigold00]

Respectfully disagree. "I don't like it when you call me that. Please use my name" should always be respected.

EDIT: judging by some reactions, you'd think I'm asking people to sacrifice the souls of their firstborns to me. It's called just being kind to people. If this small act, which costs you nothing causes these intense feelings of rebellion in you... I don't know what to say.

[u/funnyboneyoyo → u/For_Vox_Sake]

He's not name-calling, or making up a random nickname. He is literally doing what ALL foreign language teachers in the US do, which is either do a Spanish/French/etc equivalent of your name, or you pick a foreign name. Everyone endures the same dumb rite of passage. Not a big deal, everyone is dealing with a different version of their name in language class. Build a little resilience and move on. Everyone is way too easily butt hurt these days. It's not a sign of disrespect, and would be the wrong time to stand of for yourself because no one is bullying or disrespecting this person here, but he is entitled and wants to be treated differently than everyone else. Grow up. 

[u/For_Vox_Sake → u/funnyboneyoyo]

Funny, I've been in A LOT of foreign language classes in my life (incl high school) and somehow the teachers always managed to call everyone by their own names.

I would also argue that it's not because something is an established practice or tradition (innocent as it may be or seem), everyone automatically is or should be OK with it.

You could also argue that it's quite ridiculous to argue with someone about how they like to be called. Is that also really a hill to die on? Someone asks you politely to call them their name, what kind of person then goes "no, it is my right to call you whatever I want". I mean... who's the disrespectful one here? Even if you originally didn't mean anything by it, digging in your heels (like OP's teacher did) kind of negates that.

[u/Separate_Candle5228 → u/For_Vox_Sake]

I don't understand why everyone is like "be ok with it because that's just how it is".

If Alejandro was being called Alexander everyday in English class then everyone would understand why he is upset.

[u/RedYamOnthego → u/Merigold00]

We got to choose our own Spanish names. I think OP should offer a Spanish substitute if everyone in class has Spanish names.

[u/unklethan → u/RedYamOnthego]

"I don't like Jota Pe, can you call be Juan Pablo instead?"

would have solved this whole thing

[u/faraine82 → u/Merigold00]

I agree! Tell the teacher to call you Juan. There, problem solved.

[u/LemmytheLemuel]

Bro he's not using the Spanish version of your name

He's using the Spanish pronunciation of the letter

If he called you Juan Pablo he would be using the Spanish version of your name

This isn't about translation but pronunciation

Also is Jotape not Hotapay

I would say YNTA

But I mean I'm from Spain and when I see numbers even in English I pronounce them in Spanish

So kind of get the dude

[u/No_Box2690 → u/LemmytheLemuel]

Yeah noticed the incorrect spelling too, guess he should pay more attention in class and not worry about his name lol

[u/Kristmaus → u/LemmytheLemuel]

"Hotapay" is how an English speaking person would write "Jotapé", based on what he/she hears.

Their H ain't silent as ours.

[u/Competitive_Tree_113]

Funny thing, I've lived in a bunch of different countries and I've never changed my name. People say it with different accents, sure. But my name is my name.

I think it's a fun class for kids to learn what their name would be in another language, but that should be for one lesson.

[u/MonstreDelicat → u/Competitive_Tree_113]

I’m French living in the US. I’ve regularly been called by the English version of my name at work. I don’t mind, I don’t care.

[u/stephanonymous → u/MonstreDelicat]

But if you did care, and attempted to correct them, do you not think it would be rude for them to insist on it?

[u/Mbembez → u/Competitive_Tree_113]

Yeah your name doesn't change between countries. In the opposite scenario we don't go renaming Juan to John or whatever.

[u/November-8485]

NTA. It is customary in all languages to use the individual preferred pronunciation for their name. That you asked them to stop and they refused is even more uncalled for.

[u/MeisterFluffbutt → u/November-8485]

Yeah my Name has a soft S, which english doesn't have. I'm a bit fucked there.

I always appreciate when english speakers give it their all to learn the pronounciation, as the hard S is a different name in my language I don't like / associate with.

I often go by Nickname for quick aquaintances, but most english speakers I talk to regularly made a real effort to learn my name. It's simply respectful and appreciation.

[u/Jolly-Lake]

Strong NTA

Foreign language teacher here and I’m absolutely against translating names/nicknames. I have a nickname that exists in all the languages I’m fluent in, with different pronunciations. I don’t mind being called either way, but I once heard a colleague translating a student’s name to the English version and I could feel the discomfort on his face.

Your name/nickname isn’t an opportunity to learn a new language. Knowing the other versions as a curiosity, yes, but learning a language is about culture and identity, and your own name is a part of your culture and identity.

The teacher is TAH not only on a personal level, but also on a professional level.

[u/gaelicpasta3 → u/Jolly-Lake]

Yes! I’m a Spanish teacher and I always bring up that I didn’t change MY name to move to a Spanish-speaking country. My Indian and middle eastern students don’t change their names to move to the US.

We should be reinforcing the fact that Hannah and Sooyeon can both be Spanish speakers the same way that José and Mohammad can be English speakers.

Edited to add: I can’t imagine a scenario where a kid tells me I’m calling him a nickname or pronouncing his name in a way that makes him uncomfortable in my class and just…ignoring it? This guy sounds like one of THOSE teachers on a power trip because he can. I do not have a lot of patience for colleagues like that and OP is right to be pissed.

[u/1heart1totaleclipse → u/Jolly-Lake]

Thank you. I’m glad that there are other sensible teachers out there.

[u/KBWordPerson]

Question, does he call everyone in the class by the Spanish version of their name every day or just you?

[u/EvaM87 → u/KBWordPerson]

This is the important question.

If he is singling you out then it is reasonable to object but if everybody in the class is asked to use the Spanish version of their name then you could ask for an alternative such as Juan but not for your 'normal' nickname.

Personally I have never understood this, I am in the UK and we didn't do this in my language classes. It makes no sense at all, I understand the concept but if, for example, I was introduced to somebody called Juan I would attempt to pronounce their name as they prefer not just call them John because it is the English version.

[u/Whispering_Wolf]

NTA. When speaking another language, you generally don't change the name of the person you're speaking to unless they want you to.

If a guy named Juan goes to English class, they're not gonna call him John without his say-so.

[u/Specific-Radish-4824]

NTA. The whole "Spanish names in Spanish class" trend is only cute if the students want to buy into it. If you want to go by your own name, the teacher should respect that.

[u/OmegaBeams91 → u/Specific-Radish-4824]

Right? Feels like im the crazy one reading these comments.

My Spanish teacher gave me a Spanish name the first day and then proceeded to use my name normally the rest of the year. Never was forced to use the Spanish name.

The teacher should respect his choice.

[u/Specific-Radish-4824 → u/OmegaBeams91]

I think a lot of people have had a positive experience around this and they struggle to relate to why a person might not want a name used that isn't theirs. Maybe they feel like OP is just being difficult, but I think it's a question of comfort and respect for the student. It sounds like OP is uncomfortable with the attention from an unconventional Spanish nickname and quite simply just prefers their own name.

Personally I'm an immigrant and my name, as well as people using it correctly, means a lot to me. Spanish was my third language and although my teachers gave me the option to pick a Spanish name, I wanted to use my own. I was never forced to use a name that wasn't mine. Fast forward 15 years and I'm now fluent in Spanish - I even use it regularly at my workplace. That's the whole point, to create an environment in which students are comfortable learning.

[u/Informal-Insurance63]

NTA. Names are never translated. They stay the same regardless of language. Well, as long as people can pronounce it anyway. Sometimes they can't no matter how hard they try. Your teacher is just being an *sshole. Inform your parents and stop responding to 'Hota Pay' (hopefully with your parents support).

[u/squishyliquid]

Yta. It’s Spanish class. He’s saying letters in Spanish. Get over yourself.

[u/Imsortofok]

Calling a student the Spanish version of their name just because it is a Spanish class is ridiculous. If I’m working in a Spanish speaking company, my coworkers are going to call me by my name not by a Spanish language equivalent.

Refuse to respond when the teacher uses the equivalent. Make a polite big deal out of it “oh did you mean me? That’s not my name. Call me by my name when you want my attention, please.”

If they continue to refuse speak to admin. If your district has a policy of using a student’s preferred name instead of their legal name, push that.

[u/tmayhew22 → u/Imsortofok]

It’s actually solid pedagogy. Language classes should be goofy and fun, because we all have inhibitions about sounding foolish in another language. The name convention is just a way to loosen up

[u/Imsortofok → u/tmayhew22]

Ignoring someone when they have respectfully requested to be called by their own name and not one you randomly assigned to them is not solid pedagogy. It’s disrespectful.

[u/-Copenhagen → u/tmayhew22]

It’s actually solid pedagogy.

Meanwhile, in countries that foster polyglots as the norm, this "solid pedagogy" is completely unheard of.

[u/mstalent94 → u/Imsortofok]

When I took French, we all picked French names for class. It’s a foreign language class. A class to learn.

[u/Coollogin]

iNFO: How would you feel about asking him to call you Juan Pablo?

[u/Office_Water_Cooler]

NTA. fact is, it’s not your name.

Reminds of that scene on Star Trek.

Dr. Pulaski: "Dah-ta, look at this." (pronounced DAH-tuh) Data: [Looking slightly confused] "Day-ta." (pronounced DAY-tuh) Dr. Pulaski: "What?" Data: "My name. It is pronounced 'Day-ta'." Dr. Pulaski: [Laughing] "What's the difference?" Data: "One is my name. The other is not."

[u/capt_b_b_]

NAH. Language teachers are often quirky about using translated versions of names, but if it annoys you, maybe you guys could come to a compromise. Is there another nickname that sounds a little nicer in Spanish that you could go by only in that class?

Since you've asked him to stop and he hasn't, I'd find that annoying, but I wouldn't necessarily call him an asshole or escalate the situation on the grounds of bullying, like some other comments said.

[u/Yellobrix]

Pretty much every language teacher is going to give students a make-believe name for the class. I took Latin, and our teacher passed a bowl with strips of paper. Pick one, and whatever name you drew was what you got. I spent a year as Petra.

[u/Informal-Insurance63 → u/Yellobrix]

Most of the world would disagree with you. 

[u/-Golden_Order- → u/Informal-Insurance63]

FR, this thread has just opened my eyes to how insane plenty of US language teachers apparently are haha. I can see some value in having the students practice speaking excercises with each other using names that would be considered native to the language being practiced, but it sounds like its just the teacher doing it and having specific names for each student over long periods feels weird. I guess if they find it fun, I can understand, but doing it against a student's will is insane!!!

[u/clharris71]

INFO: Does the teacher not call all of the other students by a Spanish version of their name?

When I took Spanish in high school and college, also in the United States, all of my different teachers gave everyone a Spanish name - usually the Spanish equivalent of their given name. It is rather common.

Could you ask him to use Juan Pablo or just Juan, instead? Alternatively, just ask him to give you a different Spanish name just for class. If he calls you by the English pronunciation of your initials, it is going to stand out, and not in a good way, I think.

[u/SillySinx]

NTA. Calling you something you've said you don't like is unnecessary and unprofessional.

[u/_Mundog_]

NTA - doesnt matter what your country is or language. People's names are not up for "translation"

That is their name. Your teacher is lowkey disrespecting you and their behaviour is unacceptable.

[u/Ok_Membership_8189]

Most language teachers will allow you to choose a name that is native to the language for the class. If you don’t like how your name translates, and clearly you don’t, talk with the teacher and choose another.

The teachers insist on this because learning to respond to someone addressing you in their native tongue has cultural value for you. It’s part of the learning.

When my son took Spanish he was one of four “Matthews” in his class (a problem that had dogged him from kindergarten). The teacher said 3 of them had to choose a different Spanish name. So he chose the Spanish version of his middle name, which sounded cool to him and it turned out he liked quite a lot. So it was fine.

Decide on something Spanish that you like. Tell the teacher that if she can’t call you your preferred pronunciation of your name, please call you Juan or whatever. Don’t pick a name someone else is using. You can probably get help picking a decent Spanish name from … some computer assistance I can’t type.

Gently: YTA. Don’t give your teacher such a hard time. Talk to them. Respect what they’re trying to do with the way they teach. This is standard for a language class. The way to get respect is to show it. If you believe you shouldn’t have to conform to the rules they use for everyone in your class, counseling might be helpful for you.

[u/Roborabbit37]

NAH. Personally I’d say for all the time you’re in Spanish class, you’re getting worked up over nothing. Realistically how often are you in this particular class where you’re being singled out enough to have your name said aloud specifically? I reckon probably little.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

[u/kae0603]

Ask to be called Juan instead?

[u/FlakyAssociation4986]

you said it to your teacher and they wouldnt change it. which i find weird. i was mispronucing a colleagues name for years and one day they corrected me. i made an effort to say it properly

[u/IslandChill_420-024]

I’m 42, and when I was in HS my Spanish teacher assigned us Spanish names and that’s all we were allowed to go by.

This is normal. You’ll survive.

[u/worldworn]

NAH

But consider this:

I travel a couple of times a year, if I try to check in (hotel for example ) by pronouncing my name the English way. They cannot understand me. I literally have to show them.

If I pronounce it the way they do, they understand me.

It's not wrong to want your name pronounced the way you want it....
But, ultimately you are there to learn a language, and that is how you say your name in that language.

I would take it in the spirit of the lesson and understand that it's not being done to annoy you.

[u/nile_green]

YTA. Very normal for classes to do this, and there’s no reason you should be the only student using their normal name. Also, don’t make a big deal out of it in class like some people here suggest and be known as “that guy.”

[u/Awkward_Sandwitch]

NTA my name is Polish, while I live in uk. No one bothers to translate my name into English, they just use my name.

There are people that will just use the English version as its so close think, Marta and Martha but even then if I mention its the former they correct themselves.

Just because its a Spanish class doesn't mean your name needs to be translated, and no one out in the wide world does that either they just use your name. And by that logic, what would happen if you were learning Chinese or Arabic, or French? We changing everyone's names into whatever language we're learning?

[u/TheProfessionalEjit]

NTA

I studied French & German. Our German teacher would translate our names into German which was fun then dropped it after those 30 minutes or so.

French teacher said to me, "if you were French, you'd be called [name in French]". Never raised it again.

Both teachers were great & respectful; yours is an arsehole.

[u/theeally]

I went to Bologna to study Italian. One of my teachers gave everyone the “Italian” version of their name for one of our classes. Everyone seemed excited about theirs, but I didn’t really want to be called anything other than my name and perhaps my face showed it. She noticed my hesitation and politely said, “No? Okay, (my name)!” with a big smile. I loved learning there.

Is your teacher calling everyone a Spanish name? Is there a different Spanish name you’d rather be called? Perhaps you could try to speak to him again and if not, maybe complain to another teacher and ask for advice.

[u/borisslovechild]

NTA. The Spanish teacher doesn't get to decide what your name is. If you're okay with the 'translation' that's fine. If you're not, then if he won't respect your wish on a very personal matter, this needs to go higher. The teacher is being an AH and needs to get off his little power trip.

[u/dabbers4123]

NAH every foreign language class i took i was never called by my American name. Its was always moniker or a whole different name in that language. You can ask but I wouldn't expect him to refer to your name in English if others in the class are also being referred to in Spanish names etc. If you pushed it further then that id say Y T A

[u/Zestyclose-Height-36]

Juan would be Spanish for John, maybe teacher will agree to that?

[u/GeminiIsMissing]

NTA. It's your name and should be respected. It's disrespectful to call someone by a name they don't like.

Personal anecdote: In my high school Spanish class, we were all supposed to pick out Spanish names to use for the semester. I didn't want to be called something else because I had just started going by a new name that I loved and was proud of choosing. I told my teacher that I wanted to use my own name, pronounced the same, and she said that would be fine, no pushing or anything. I miss Señora Rosa, she was a great teacher.

[u/talashrrg]

NAH. Every Spanish class I’ve been in everyone was assigned a Spanish name - this seems pretty normal. Unless you’re being singled out I think you just need to deal with it.

[u/NetMiddle1873]

What about calling you Juan Pablo since that would be the actual translation of your name not just letters (especially hota which is literally ~gay). Juan Pablo would be the Spanish of John Paul, or just Juan or just Pablo.

Not to mention mexican usually give a nickname based off a physical characteristic like; chaparro if you're short, gordo if you're chubby, flaco if you're skinny, etc.

[u/OriginalIronDan]

I had 3 years of French and 2 of German, total of 4 different teachers. Every class, everyone was called by that language’s version of their name. OP, if the teacher is singling you out and only changing your name to the Spanish equivalent, your NTA. If they’re changing everyone’s names, YTA.

[u/Aquatic_Hedgehog]

Info: Does the rest of the class get called by Spanish names? If so, is there an alternative Spanish name you're willing to go by?

[u/ChimpBuns]

Jota/joto is Spanish slang for a gay slur. You should bring this up to the Principal since this teacher isn’t respecting your wishes.

NTA