Is your name hard to pronounce?

Before your ceremony 

Our name readers will be on campus the day before convocation to connect with any students who would like support writing their name phonetically or would like to connect directly about pronunciation. 

• Date: Wednesday, Nov. 15 
• Time: Noon to 2 p.m. 
• Location: KNB 130 (main campus) 

 You can register for the event here. The option to walk in is also available.

On the day of your ceremony 

 
When you collect your degree package in the Olympic Oval, you’ll receive a reader card with your name on it, which will be read during the ceremony. At this point, you can make minor changes to it, such as crossing out a middle name you do not want read out, including a preferred name or adding phonetic guidance. You will be directed to do so at a designated table with volunteers who can assist you.

Tips for writing phonetically (saying your names as they sound): 

Remember that the convocation name reader will only have a few seconds to look at your card and read your name while standing at the podium, so try to keep your changes simple, neat and clear: 

• Break down the parts of your name into syllables 
• Put a hyphen in between syllables 
• Use capital letters for the syllable(s) that should be stressed or emphasized 

Here are a few examples:

• Hala Said: HA-la Sa-EED 
• Phuong Nguyen: Fong Win 
• Kumar Ahmad: Koo-MAAR AHH-mad