Lucy Zelić and Craig Foster, the faces of SBS’s World Cup coverage, have addressed criticism aimed at Zelić’s pronunciation of players’ names during the tournament in Russia, saying it is done that way out of respect for the game of football and Australia’s multicultural society.
Foster brought up the topic on air on Monday night after some disgruntled viewers took to social media to criticise Zelić’s custom of pronouncing players’ names in the same way they would be in their home country.
In an at-times emotional segment, Foster said Zelić’s work so far during the tournament had been “brilliant” and her pronunciation was an important legacy of the late SBS broadcaster Les Murray.
“Les was always so specific on his pronunciations for a number of reasons,” Foster said. “Firstly, because that’s what SBS is about. SBS is about respecting every single culture, and of course, the way that you use their language is the most important way to show respect to someone. If you can’t get someone’s name right, it shows that, well, you’ve got no regard.
“Secondly, Les also did it out of respect for the game ... [It was] very important to him to say, ‘I’m showing respect to these players. It’s not a joke when these people play. I have a job here because of them.’”
Addressing Zelić directly, Foster continued: “It’s not only proper, but it’s actually important for Australia. Having linguistic skills, being multilingual, is something you should be very proud of. It adds a lot to our coverage and it’s very important.”
WATCH: @LucyZelic and @Craig_Foster's emotional explanation of the importance of correct pronunciation and Les Murray's legacy. ♥⚽🇦🇺🏆 pic.twitter.com/lYu0DSQYlS
— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 25, 2018
Zelić is Australian-born to Croatian parents. Her father arrived in Australia after a 30-day boat trip from the Dalmatian coast in 1968, not speaking a word of English. She said she had received messages from other migrants to Australia who had suffered incorrect pronunciations of their names for years, thanking her for her efforts to get it right.
“There’s also the sentiment behind it, that you’re not pronouncing it for anybody other than the nation you’re covering, and out of respect to them,” she said. “That is why we do what we do at SBS ... It’s always been about servicing the minority and about respecting the cultures we have in Australia.”
The clip gathered momentum on social media with readers leaping to the defence of Zelić. “Hats off to everyone at SBS for your wonderful coverage and especially Lucy for being the future of Australian football coverage,” wrote one. “Couldn’t be more proud to have you as the voice of our favourite sport in Australia.”
Another wrote: “Explanation shouldn’t have been required, but was very well done. Congratulations on an outstanding coverage.” The pair were “setting a standard to other networks through the great sport of football”, according to another.
What a great piece of TV - turning the ridiculous abuse Zelic has received over pronunciation into a lesson about respect and pride in multiculturalism, all while kitted out in his and hers Adidas. SBS at its best. https://t.co/l6nnrTSMk7
— Josephine Tovey (@Jo_Tovey) June 25, 2018
Bunch of young flogs criticising Lucy Zelic and how she pronounces names. When Les Murray did it, he was a cult hero. She is paying respect to the world game. Shame on those putting her down, especially women. She has done a stellar job hosting. #Russia2018 #WorldCup
— Anthony Siokos (@AnthonySiokos) June 20, 2018
Wonderful to listen to this.
— Dean (Дин) Rosario (@DeanRosario) June 25, 2018
Well done Craig Foster for raising the issue.
Huge thanks to Lucy Zelic for having the courage to be herself.
As an immigrant, too often there's a tendency to accept things just to fit in. No more. Let's educate the ignorant, not accept ignorance. https://t.co/FO9fZAeKvk
Lucy Zelic, you are a class act. Being multilingual opens the mind, being monolingual keeps it closed.
— Peter Cunningham (@Petantcun) June 26, 2018
Zelić said she was pleased the conversation was being had as it presented an opportunity to “re-educate a different audience”.
“Les had to fight tremendously hard for the game and for the immigrants, like my parents, who came to Australia with nothing for a better life,” she said. “They were able to establish an identity through Les and through the game and within the country – so, I’m glad.”
Zelić and Foster’s workload increased significantly last week after technical issues with Optus led to SBS being handed the rights to broadcast every World Cup group game. The pair were already scheduled to be on air for one game every day, but have had their hours extended drastically with up to three separate kick-offs a day to cover.
I have been thinking a lot about how exhausted Lucy Zelic and Craig Foster must be - their workload is nuts since they have to commentate almost every game in the absence of Optus. Anyone who criticises Lucy showing respect by pronouncing foreign names correctly is an idiot
— Natasha Robinson (@NC_Robinson) June 26, 2018
