I love my little cat. The idea of names and using words seems extremely silly to me.
My cat’s real name is “wwhhq.” It is a sound that is completely different than any word or sound I ever use. I also have a low volume high pitch whistle I can make that is barely audible to me and consists of a specific quick up-down-UP tone. She can hear that over any white noise and will usually respond, at least, more usual than most cats I’ve owned or been around. I’d call it a 90% response rate. No one else in the house can generate that kind of response from her, especially with a silly anthropomorphized name. I’ve gotten to the point where all words directed at an animal seem like unnecessary nonsense. They are only responding to tone and actions. So, I figure why not simplify my vocalizations to make my communication entirely on her level of tones and actions making my intent more clear and easy to interpret. It has worked really well for me over the last 9 years with my current cat. I don’t think I will speak to a cat ever again.
This is an animal that is said to have domesticated itself and started mimicry of baby cries, just to try to communicate with (see: manipulate) us, and you don’t think there’s merit in speaking to it?
I’ve adopted silent cats, and by way of speaking to them regularly, seen their own feline vocabularies grow. They learn new ways to audibly express themselves, and their personalities seem to grow, for the better of their own contentment.
I genuinely think you should reconsider your outlook on this matter.