The new French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault's last name sounds like an Arabic slang word for 'his penis.'
Pronounced properly in French, the last name sounds like a 'naughty' Lebanese and Palestinian term that is widely understood in the Arabic world. The name has left broadcasters trying to determine if they should pronounce it as the prime minister does -- "ai-roh" -- or if they should resort to voicing the "L" and "T" in the written word.
Pronounced properly in French, the last name sounds like a 'naughty' Lebanese and Palestinian term that is widely understood in the Arabic world. The name has left broadcasters trying to determine if they should pronounce it as the prime minister does -- "ai-roh" -- or if they should resort to voicing the "L" and "T" in the written word.
Here is a report from CNN.com about this topic followed by a TV report, in Arabic, from the Arabic TV Channel Al-Jadeed.
اسم رئيس حكومة فرنسا "ايرو"... مشكلة للصحافيين
اسم رئيس حكومة فرنسا "ايرو"... مشكلة للصحافيين