How to Pronounce Kamala Harris

Meaning and Context

Kamala Harris, elected Vice President of the United States in 2020 alongside President Joe Biden, is a groundbreaking American politician and attorney. A member of the Democratic Party, her historic election marked her as the first female vice president, the first Black vice president, and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Her career trajectory includes serving as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017, where she gained a national profile, and as a United States Senator from California from 2017 until her inauguration as Vice President in January 2021. As Vice President, Harris has taken on significant portfolios, including addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, advocating for voting rights, and leading the administration's efforts on reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Her role as President of the Senate and her casting of tie-breaking votes have been crucial in a narrowly divided chamber, underscoring the importance of the vice presidency in modern American governance.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Kamala Harris" is most commonly and correctly spelled as presented. However, frequent misspellings arise from phonetic guesses or typographical errors. Common incorrect variations include "Kamela Harris" (substituting an 'e' for the second 'a'), "Kamala Haris" (dropping one 'r'), and "Kamala Harrris" (adding an extra 'r'). Some may mistakenly write "Kamala Harris" with a double 'l' in the first name, as in "Kamalla." It is also important to note the proper diacritical mark in the pronunciation guide; her first name, of Sanskrit origin meaning "lotus," is pronounced "KAH-muh-luh" or "KAHM-luh," not "ka-MAH-lah." In formal writing, her full title is often styled as "Vice President Kamala Harris" on first reference.

Example Sentences

During a pivotal tie-breaking vote in the Senate, Vice President Kamala Harris provided the decisive margin to advance the administration's legislative agenda.

Before her tenure as Vice President, Kamala Harris built a reputation as a formidable prosecutor during her time as California's Attorney General.

In her historic address, Vice President Harris emphasized the importance of protecting democratic institutions and expanding access to the ballot box.

Political analysts often note how Harris's background as a former senator and state attorney general informs her approach to complex policy issues.

When President Biden underwent a medical procedure in 2021, Harris briefly assumed the powers of the presidency, a reminder of the vice president's constitutional role.

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