The aim of the experiment was to prove, via production and perception tests, the comprehensibility of proper names. We were interested not only in their recognition in fluent speech, but also in the relationship that may exist between these significant bearers of information, and furthermore in their interpretation in different languages. This work focuses on the most obvious distortions and degrees of understanding the significant facts when talking about prominent sportsmen/sportswomen in authentic English, Spanish, French and Czech TV announcements.