KAA-muh-luh

Nothing's ever simple. The BBC Pronunciation Unit's Jo Kim, says Kamala Harris' advice on how to say her first name - Comma-la - is wrong, at least on this side of the Atlantic

"The written advice she gives is for the pronunciation of her name is illuminating for American English speakers but less so for British English speakers. In many American English accents/dialects, the “-aa as in father” (or “-aa as in calm”) and the “-o as in in comma” sounds have merged into one sound, whereas most British English accents/dialects still differentiate between the two. You can hear this in American English pronunciations of the word ‘pond’, which often sounds like “paand” or ‘lot’, which often sounds like “laat” to British English speakers.

"While her own (American English) pronunciation of the vowel in “comma” is appropriate for her name, for most British English speakers, the British English pronunciation of “comma” will not accurately reflect her pronunciation. Our recommendation, for British English speaking broadcasters, is KAA-muh-luh (-aa as in father/calm) to better reflect her own pronunciation."