Honestly, I’ve heard so many people try to say Alassane Ouattara’s name and get it wrong, especially news anchors outside Ivory Coast! The right way to say it, from what I learned online and from following some pronunciation guides, is kind of like "Ah-lah-san Wah-ta-rah." The French accent can make it sound slightly different since Ivory Coast is a French-speaking country.

Public figures messing up his name isn’t uncommon, especially at international events. I feel awkward watching someone important totally bomb it in front of cameras. It’s a tough name if you’re not used to African names or French pronunciation, but it’s worth learning since he’s the president of a whole country.

One thing I’ve realized is that how you say someone’s name in politics matters a lot. It’s about respect and taking the time to get it right. So if you’re watching the news and they mess it up, just know you’re not alone—I’ve found most people get better with practice, just like with any language stuff.