Hey folks 👋 I recently shared a playful article on Medium that sparked a fantastic idea for icebreakers in our workshops. Imagine attendees discovering the unique sounds hidden within their own names, just like I did with mine! ❓ What? Here's a quick recap of my Medium post: 'Ö': Pronounce it like the 'ea' in 'early.' Regardless of your accent, this sound is universal. Think of 'early,' focus on 'ea,' and you're halfway there! 'mür': This one's a breeze if you've ever said 'mural.' Picture yourself admiring a beautiful wall painting, saying 'mur-al,' and you've almost got it. Combine and Conquer: Put 'ea' and 'mur' together, say it quickly, and you've got my name — Ömür! It's like a mini tongue twister, but mastering it is worth it. Why Does It Matter?: Correctly pronouncing names is a nod to heritage and cultural diversity. It's a small gesture that makes a big difference. Challenge: Can you guess the meaning of 'Ömür' with the hint from the image? No cheating with translators! 💡 How might we turn this into an exercise? Here's a possible structured flow for the exercise: 1️⃣ Introduction (2 minutes): - Welcome attendees and explain the purpose of the exercise. - Set a positive and inclusive tone for the activity. 2️⃣ Name Placement (2 minutes): - Provide prepared places (cards, sticky notes, or a digital platform) for everyone to write their names. - Ensure each participant has a clear space to work with. 3️⃣ Analyzing Names (5-10 minutes): - Instruct participants to split their names into sounds (e.g., Ö-mür). - For each sound, they’ll find sample English words that resemble the pronunciation (e.g., 'Ö': (ea)rly). - Encourage participants to use example words as a guide. - Display these on a shared board or screen for reference. 4️⃣ Image Hint (3 minutes): - Participants will provide an image hint related to their name’s meaning. - Ensure everyone can see the images clearly.