Linguists help graduation to roll off tongue

 Universities are hiring linguists to help pronounce names at their student graduation ceremonies.

Students at some institutions are asked to fill out a “name pronunciation” form ahead of graduation, while others may consult a native speaker over a tricky sounding moniker.

Paul Greatrix, registrar at Nottingham University, said: “It can go really badly wrong – and you feel for the parents who might have travelled thousands of miles. You can see their smiles turning to a frozen grin.

“If people trip over, they may get another chance to walk across the stage.

“But if the pronunciation of the name goes wrong, there’s no escape.”