Meet Vanessa Ruiz. A few weeks ago, she joined Phoenix’s Channel 12 News as a new anchor. Before going to Phoenix, Ruiz did the morning show for KNBC in Los Angeles.
According to social media and a Buzzfeed article published earlier today, the bilingual Ruiz was getting criticized for the way she was pronouncing words in Spanish:
.@12News can someone please teach @VanessaR12News how to pronounce city names?
— Infobahn (@Infobahn) August 21, 2015
This past Monday, Ruiz went on television to explain:
She also wrote an opinion piece where she stated the following: “I seized the moment to address some viewer inquiries wondering why I pronounce certain words in Spanish in just that – Spanish. I was raised speaking both languages and for me, certain words just sound better when said in their natural way. It really is that simple. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Now that Ruiz’s video has gotten some attention, many people are tweeting her support. Here are just a few examples:
@VanessaR12News I love how you pronounce the words the way they are supposed to be pronounced!!! It’s a great change to embrace! — alicia torres (@aliciat31) September 1, 2015
@VanessaR12News You’re a fabulous addition to the network & I’m happy as a former English Major at UCLA that you pronounce words properly.
— Wayne Radcliffe (@wayneradcliffe) September 1, 2015
Don’t let gringos tell you how you should pronounce spanish words. All they wanna do is rob ppl of their culture @VanessaR12News — あや (@ayizzzle) September 2, 2015
Although, not everyone has been supportive:
@VanessaR12News by implying we don’t pronounce words correctly here. I’m allowed my opinion and that is you questioned our intelligence.
— Brian Davenport (@The_radnack) September 2, 2015
What do you think of what Ruiz had to say? Tweet @LatinoUSA, me @julito77 or add your comments below.
Photo via 12News
When I arrived as news director for a radio station in Austin, Texas, I was firmly put on notice that Guadalupe Street was to be pronounced “QUAD-a-loop,” that Manchaca Road was to be called “MANN-chack” and San Marcos, Texas was to be spoken as “SAY-ann MARR-kiss.” That was more than 30 years ago, but some of those attitudes still exist to this very day.
amen, senor miles…my job required me to work in austin for one whole summer…i could not deal with the way the locals, even latinos, butchered the street names…i decided not to spend my money in austin, so i drove home to san antonio every night and back to austin in the morning…
One of the main streets in Downtown Pensacola, FL is Cervantes Street. The locals have always pronounced it “sir-van-teez.” It took me a while to understand what they were saying when I first moved here in 1993. Most have always known the correct pronunciation. Now that the Latino community has grown and the community has become more diverse, I notice people attempting to pronounce it correctly and Latinos have learned what “sir-van-teez” means. I guess we sort of meet in the middle, but I think it will keep changing over time. I have been doing a lot of “Latino” community relations and cultural education for the last ten years (long story–in fact, that’s what I do for a living). I think that helps a lot. Ruiz has a great opportunity to lead and teach.
While working for the VA Outpatient Clinic in Corpus Christi in a managerial position I was verbally attacked by a veteran when I correctly pronounced my last name and other hispanic name. He said we were in America and I should pronounce those names in English. He asked to speak to a higher up in the clinic. I had him speak to our Chief Nurse, Mrs. Villarreal who always proudly pronounced her name correctly. She put him in his place.
While working for the VA Outpatient Clinic in Corpus Christi in a managerial position I was verbally attacked by a veteran when I correctly pronounced my last name and other hispanic name. He said we were in America and I should pronounce those names in English. He asked to speak to a higher up in the clinic. I had him speak to our Chief Nurse, Mrs. Villarreal who always proudly pronounced her name correctly. She put him in his place.