Learn How to Pronounce Javier Pérez de Cuéllar | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Javier Pérez de Cuéllar

Quick Answer: In Spanish, the name Javier Pérez de Cuéllar is pronounced [xaˈβjeɾ ˈpeɾez ðe ˈkweʎaɾ].
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Meaning and Context

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, born in Lima, Peru, on January 19, 1920, was the fifth Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving two terms from 1982 to 1991. His tenure is widely regarded as a period of revitalization for the UN, marked by adept diplomacy and quiet perseverance during the final decade of the Cold War. A career Peruvian diplomat, Pérez de Cuéllar played a crucial role in mediating the ceasefire that ended the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, oversaw complex peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Central America, and was instrumental in negotiating the release of Western hostages in Lebanon. His legacy as a statesman extends beyond his UN service, as he later served as Prime Minister of Peru in 2000-2001 during a constitutional crisis. His approach to international conflict resolution and his commitment to multilateralism left an indelible mark on global diplomacy and the history of the United Nations, cementing his reputation as a skilled negotiator and a respected global figure until his death in March 2020.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Javier Pérez de Cuéllar" follows Spanish orthography and contains several elements that can lead to common misspellings and typographical errors. The most frequent errors involve the diacritical marks and the compound surname. The acute accent on the "é" in "Pérez" is often omitted, resulting in the incorrect "Perez." The surname "de Cuéllar" is also problematic; the "Cuéllar" component requires an acute accent on the "é," and the "de" is a separate preposition that is sometimes incorrectly concatenated into "deCuéllar" or "De Cuellar." Common misspellings include "Javier Perez de Cuellar" (missing both accents), "Javier Perez de Cueillar" (misplaced 'i'), and "Xavier Pérez de Cuéllar" (using the English or Catalan 'X' instead of the Spanish 'J'). In English-language contexts, the full name is sometimes erroneously shortened to "Javier Cuéllar," dropping the important paternal surname "Pérez."

Example Sentences

Historians often cite Javier Pérez de Cuéllar's deft diplomacy as a key factor in bringing the Iran-Iraq War to a conclusion.

During his decade as Secretary-General, Pérez de Cuéllar emphasized "quiet diplomacy," preferring back-channel negotiations over public confrontation.

In his memoirs, the Peruvian diplomat reflected on the immense challenges of leading the United Nations during a period of superpower tension.

Following his UN service, Pérez de Cuéllar returned to Peruvian politics, assuming the role of Prime Minister at a critical juncture.

Scholars of international relations continue to study the Pérez de Cuéllar era for its lessons in effective multilateral peacemaking.

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