My Italian husband and I share a love of language and grammar and often amuse ourselves by conjugating verbs and doing other nerdy things that help each of us learn the other’s language better.
One of the stickier points, of course, is pronunciation. Although Italian grammar is more difficult overall, one good thing about the language is that every letter in a word is pronounced, and there’s usually just one or two ways to say each letter or group of letters. That’s why people look at me funny when I say “How do you spell that?”—because the words are, indeed, spelled exactly how they sound.
That’s all well and good for the Italians, but there are still some things I just can’t get straight. In English, for example, the sound of the n in the words personnel and personal is the same. But when you see two consonants together in Italian, you’re supposed to linger over them or risk saying a whole different word. I’m always tripped up by capelli (hair) and cappelli (hats), often telling bare-headed people that I love their hats, or alerting strangers that they’ve dropped their hair on the ground. In an effort to make the distinction in pronunciation, I’ve begun to exaggerate those double consonants so much that by the time I’ve finished the word, I’ve filed my nails and had an espresso.
But just think for a moment about English pronunciation and how odd our words must look and sound to newbies—whether those newbies are from another country or our own kids just learning to speak, read, and spell. I mean, how do you coherently explain why eight and height are pronounced so differently? For Italians, the bugaboos are our short vowel sounds, which don’t really exist in the language, and vowel teams that form a long e sound. Considering that Italians pronounce the vowel teams ee and ea with a short i sound, you can imagine the giggles that ensue when we go to the sea and my husband says he’s going to lay the sheet on the beach.
And then there’s the other problem with spoken English—fast talkin’. And fast talkin’ leads to lazy talkin’. Before you know it, you’re telling people you “goddageddome” (got to get home) and asking “Wouldja mind?” and littering the floor with the unused g’s from words like goin’ and singin’ and somersaultin’.
I do it too, I cannot lie. I have a long background in theater, teaching, and public speaking, so you’d think after all these years, speaking with perfect diction would have become a habit, something I just do without thinking about it. But alas, it ain’t so. You see, clear diction and perfect pronunciation take a lot of effort and energy—and sometimes after a long day, I just don’t have any oomph left over to tack on that darn g.
And that’s when I slip into what I call “sneezin’ English.”
Comfy as a fuzzy pair of feetie pajamas, sneezin’ English just feels goooooood. It’s fun and relaxing and homey. And after a day toiling in the world of words, being all correct and proper…kenya blamee fer wantin’ to relax the noggin’?
But I recently realized I can’t relax. You see, I’m solely responsible for teaching English to a couple of pre-verbal Italian-American bambini…and yet I heard myself saying this:
Hey, babies! Wouldja like me ta make yer pasta? Ya like pasta, dontchoo? Lemme getchoo a drink while it’s cookin’. Ya wanna stop cryin’ for a sec? Whaddya say? I’m gonna getchoo!
Mmhmm. If I have any hope of teaching correct pronunciation—and therefore correct spelling—then I’ll have to practice what I preach outside of lessons, and certainly now at this crucial moment in their language development.
My pal sneezin’ English packed its bags today and hit the road. Oh, we’ll probably meet again, maybe when the boys are old enough to tell the difference between sneezin’ and speaking. Maybe it will be some special day in the future, a day when my boys are looking dapper…perhaps they’ve just finished speaking eloquently and with a gentlemanly flair. And I’ll say, “My goodness, I’m so proud of you boys.”
And they’ll say, “Right back ah-tchoo, Mamma. Right back ah-tchoo.”
About Renée LaTulippe
Good reminder:)
Oh how I wish it was easier to sound out and spell things in English. My husband speaks Spanish so I’ve had similar thoughts. :)
I love this blog. It’s so easy to be lazy. I’m guilty! I think we all are at some point of time. I can see my daughters spelling is suffering because she is spelling words they way she hears them. I’m vowing to speak more clearly and not use lazy slang words. Thanks for this story!
I am sitting by myself laughing out loud at the thought of your husband laying a “sheet” on the “beach”! Hilarious!!!
All funniness aside, thanks for the reminder.
Julie
*snicker* Thanks, Julie! We giggle every time — some things never get old.
lol!!!! I enjoyed this post!!! xoxo
“sneezin’ English” is a pet peeve of mine, but it’s not so bad when people know they’re slurring words together. It REALLY gets under my skin when they thinks words are actually SPELLED correctly like that! It’s a very good point about enunciating words when reading to or speaking to our children throughout the day.
My hubby is from a different country and we always run into the difference of pronunciation, especially when trying to help my daughter sound out words!
Oh well, my first language is Spanish so excuse me for my grammar, but I’m trying to learn the “”good English” and home school two bilingual boys at the same time. In my home we speak Spanglish, and I’m really concerned about it. And that is way I’m getting this program, so I can learn how to properly speak and write English… believe me; is not easy! I’m still trying to get the difference between sheet and the other word :)
Thank you for creating a great program, hopefully we all will learn!
English is also our second language, although my daughters’ first language, and although our pronunciation is probably more proper than sneezing English, I find that my daughters pick up sneezing English everywhere else they can! There are few sentences that are said without having to be corrected. :) That’s the best part about homeschooling! I am privileged to know exactly what they struggle with and what their strengths are. And at the same time that’s the hardest part of homeschooling, I am accountable for what they learn.
It took my son a long time to get that “elemeno” was not a letter! When we get to that part of the alphabet song I say very clearly L M N O P!
I lived in Italy many years ago and was completely amazed to discover that they didn’t really even have a word for “to spell.” They didn’t need it as you said because everything is, as you would say in your books “pronounced for spelling” quite automatically. What a beautiful language Italian is. If English were as easy to spell as Italian, we wouldn’t need your awesome books!
So true, Carla! That amazed me at first, too. Nor is there a word for “editor” in the sense that we use it. The closest is “proofreader,” but that doesn’t quite capture what an editor is and does. So imagine how difficult it is to explain that I’m an editor for books that teach spelling!
Oh my, it sounds as though your Italian husband might have just as much trouble pronouncing proper English as mine who was born and raised in the deep south! The southern pronunciations are justq as easy to slip into as sneezin English, especially when everyone around yu is speaking that way as well.
I like your phrase “sneezin’ English.” ;^) I especially appreciate your reminder that “If I have any hope of teaching correct pronunciation—and therefore correct spelling—then I’ll have to practice what I preach outside of lessons, and certainly now at this crucial moment in their language development.”
Oh, and I am so guilty of Sneezin’ English! I remember my oldest sister would get so annoyed at me and try to correct my dropping “g” at the end of words. I have been trying to be more aware lately, as we are working with AAS and doing a lot of dictation. Thanks for the reminder!
In the process of teaching three boys (8, 13, 16) spell and read, the lessons of my New England raised parents hit home time and again. Your article is yet another reminder. Thank you.
Yes, it certainly shows up in my daughter’s spelling when I’ve been lax on pronunciation. I like the one comment about “elemeno”- we certainly saw that in this house and had to correct it!
I don’t have too big of a problem with sneezing English in certain contexts, but I definitely agree that we need to know how to use standard English, too. My 3-year-old has definitely been mumbling around lately. Frustrating!
I had to smile reading through this post. We have many conversations in our home concerning how we SAY a word vs how it’s SPELLED. It also brought to memory a text I received from a New England a few days ago in which she was explaining about loosing something in the draw of her dresser. I read it in my head 3 times, draw? What is that supposed to be. When I read it out loud I realized she had phonetically spelled the way she pronounces drawer. I say this, poking fun, but just emphasizing your point at teaching spelling and pronouncing words correctly. There is no p in something. (Sumpthing as my 3rd child would say)
A very good reminder, even our math curriculum has brought this to my attention. When you read it this way it definitely makes me see how silly I can sound.
Good point. I work with students who are learning the English language and one student recently asked me what didya means.
Great reminder! We are our children’s first ( sometimes only!) teacher. We must remember that: “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!” Thank you!
I enjoyed your blog! I have taught English to adults and middle/high school students. Many struggled to pronounce things correctly and to understand my words! For instance, I would say, “Let’s work on this again later.” but they would hear, “Let’s work on this again ladder.” Even we English speakers often have deaf ears to our blunders!
I have thought about this article several times since reading it. I have caught myself speedily speaking and have slowed down to say the word correctly.
I still remember this and have been saying “have to” vs. “haft to”.
I can totally relate! My husband is Dutch. When I lived in Holland, I spoke English very slowly and deliberately so that I could be understood by the Dutch, “non-native English speakers.” They in turn, had to do the same for me when speaking Dutch. Upon returning to the USA, I noticed that my English was much more deliberate and sometimes I felt like I was talking in a form of baby talk, (slow and more deliberate), because every one else was speaking in, “Ah-tchoo” English!
Same here, Cherie! And after so many years here, I often now construct my spoken sentences as you would in Italian, so “That guy is dressed nicely” becomes “He dresses nicely, that guy.” I have to stop myself all the time and put things in the right order!
I have noticed since I have been teaching 4 young to spell my pronunciation has improved quite a bit:) I moved from New Jersey to Alabama 15 years ago. My husband is very southern and I picked up some pretty bad habits. I having been working hard to watch how I say things these days.
So true what you said about speaking lazily! I definitely try harder to enunciate all my words when my children are around. And try to not let them get away with “ya” and “nah” (yes/no). I figure if you get into the habit early enough, it will stick….hopefully! : )
I never was aware of how often I mumble until my children copied me and I couldn’t understand them! My oldest girl has a hard time spelling correctly because she thinks the words are spelt how they are sounding- and she pronounces alot of words wrong. Thank you for helping us to speak clearer and spell really good! We can’t wait to do spelling, I enjoy it very much- and the kids can sense it!
The reminder that needs to happen oh, so frequently! Thanks!
This is so true! Thank you for putting it in writing. We are so thankful for all of your thoughts. For braking down everything into dummy terms so that we may teach our little ones correctly, and effortlessly. You ROCK, Marie…
Little Hearts Academy – The Bowman Family
As I work with my 5 year old on his pronunciation, these are good reminders.
I love this! I’m way more of a hobbyist than a pro at all these things, but I do love it! I can remember as early as age 4 my Dad correcting my grammar and pronunciation, very gently, of course. It ended up helping me so much when it came to taking tests…he’d just tell me to choose the answer that sounded right, and most of the time it was.
And while I fell in love with my husband’s thick southern accent, it is hilarious to hear my 5 & 7 year olds correcting him. You know he loves that. :)
PS, we live in FL and I will definitely giggle the next time I lay a sheet on the beach. :)
Hee! I love the idea that there’s someone out in the world giggling about that at the beach. Now I’ll by giggling about you giggling as I lay MY sheet on the beach! :)
P.S. I do enjoy a good Southern accent, though. I’m from upstate New York, but have used “y’all” forever – love that word!
I studied linguistics in college, and learned that we all have our own “idiolect.” We all speak much more formally in, say, a professional setting, or with people with whom we are less comfortable. When we’re at home with our loved ones, though, we relax and probably use “sneezin’ English.” I love that term! :-) I am a spelling and grammar nut, too, and I still use my “idiolect” with my children. They are still learning to speak and spell properly. Your children will not be damaged if you speak casually to them, I promise.
Haha! Thank you, Beth, for the reminder that the kids won’t be scarred for life if I don’t pronounce everything perfectly! It’s true about the idiolect, though. I speak completely differently when I go back to where I grew up, my language devoid of final g’s. And you know what? It’s relaxing and fun, too! :)
This is absolutely true! I have been thinking about this a lot in reference to how my kids write words and such.
“the sheet on the beach” is hilarious! I fight this every day with my son who spells exactly how something is pronounced!
Our big thing at our house is Yabut, like Yeah, but I did not do it!!! My husband always tells us we are not the flinstones!!
I got a good smile out of this one. I know since teaching my first child to read and spell that I’ve become much more distinct in my short i and e sounds.
So true! This post made me laugh!
I live in Baltimore where we get extremely lazy when pronouncing words. We tend to drop as many vowels as possible. For example: we don’t live in Baltimore……we live in Bawlmer. Poor tourists are constantly getting lost because they keep looking for “Blair” Road when it’s really “BEL AIR” Road. :-)
My kiddos were both adopted internationally about 2 years ago, at ages 2 and 5. Neither of them knew more than a couple of English words, and I never realized until that point just how we sounded! Now that I’m teaching them to read, write, and spell, it’s even more interesting. I’ve corrected my pronunciation of “to” (previously, “I’m going tuh do such and such”) and “our” (previously “are”). I thought I had worked hard to have correct diction, but I definitely have more work to do! Really, though, it’s made me listen closely to other people, and most people use “tuh” instead of “to” fairly often, and “are” instead of “our” is common in my neck of the woods, too.
I find myself using sneezin’ English a lot, blended in with a good southern accent and we’ll never get those babies speaking (not to mention spelling) correctly!
Great reminder! I had trouble with spelling as a child because of my Texas accent! Lol!
It is so true about talking too fast. My son, who is 2.5, recently started saying “carrot please” every morning before we headed down the stairs. I was blaffled by his sudden desire for carrots for breakfast. It didn’t dawn on me until later that week when my husband and I were doing laundry, that he was saying “carry it please” lol. I’ve started slowing down when I ask him to “carry it” (his sippy cup down the stairs).
I realized I needed to be better about enunciating clearly and properly when my children started saying what I was saying! Yikes!
Half the time we do not even realize we are not enunciating properly…I know I am especially guilty of this before my morning cup of tea :)
I would love to win the $100 gift certificate! It would give me an awesome jumpstart on curriculum for next school year.
I didn’t realize how guilty I was of doing this, until I started having my daughter read aloud to me. When I want her to speak clearly and enunciate each word, it is motivation for me to read and speak that way too!
It’s terrible here in the South. I try to set a good example for my children but when I am tired, it slips.
I think the English language is so tricky to spell because all the letters are not sometimes pronounced.
We LOVE AAS . . . no more tears . . . no more blank looks . . . I hope I win so I can get the next levels!!
Haha, I totally do that! And to be honest I’m not sure I even notice! I am from Texas so my drawl is bound to come out. The more tired I am the more you can tell about my roots. I have no idea what kind of odd things I say to my kids. I guess I’d better start noticin’.
Thanks for the humor! On a slightly related note, though it’s a print issue and not an auditory one… I have a hard time with “text talk” showing up in documents or other forms like FB posts when short cuts aren’t necessary, making it appear as if the typist really thinks the word is spelled thru or nite.
LOL! I’ve had similar experiences with Spanish and English. I feel for anyone trying to wade their way through our vowels and slurry speaking!
Right now I’m reading Beatrix Potter at bedtime to my ds 2&3. Reading words like “disconsolately” when tired is definitely a challenge. My tongue protests every time. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thanks for the reminder! My husband has been studying Italian for the last several years, so we have had many conversations about the differences between the two languages.
I’m excited to join the All About Learning fan club! I have struggled teaching my boys – now 13, 11, and 8 spelling excellency and am excited to now try the All About Spelling curriculum. My order is on its way – I am a bit overwhelmed and apprehensive about trying yet one more method but feel that this time we have hit the jackpot?! Wish me well.
I’ll be checking in for good advice.
Thanks for the encouraging messages.
coming from a country who speaks english as a second language, im sure we have our own pronunciation of english words. i just hope that as the kids grow up, they will be more fluent in english.
We’re very lazy with our pronunciations in our neck of the woods, too. Since our recent move to my hometown, my 4 year old daughter has picked up a twang, drawl, and a few extra syllables, too ;). It’s pretty funny to watch her sound out c-a-n. She starts with her blend, and the short a is in tact, but after she adds the n and recognizes the word, she restates with a smile and a hearty “ca-yen.” We both struggle with “hen.” My mouth feels weird when I try to keep the short e in tact. The worst butchering I hear in the community is the word wash… it somehow has grown an r.. warsh. I was in college before I even knew I added it, and quickly retrained my mouth.. it was a difficult job!
My husband’s nuances are a little different, though. The one that just gets me is his pronunciation of tomb. When he says it, it rhymes with comb, and I cannot convince him otherwise! :)
Fun post! I’ve noticed that teaching my children to spell would be much easier if we had been teaching them the correct pronunciations of words. Guilty of sloppy speech here!
Too funny….I loved the “lay the sheet on the beach” part…..I can only imagine the looks you’d get. (STILL laughing about it….)
Thanks for the funny post! (and yes, teaching spelling for English when the language often breaks its own rules can be a bear!)
I totally understand where you are coming from. One of our biggest hurdles in spelling AND in reading is that we are trying to conquer the accent. Most of the time, growing up, the short e sounded more like the short I. Trying to teach my daughter that an ink pen was not a pin or her brother was ten not tin is really hard. When reading, she said tin instead of ten, too. After two years of trudging through phonics, she can finally read fairly well, but doesn’t decode new words that well. She also can’t spell to save her life. At the beginning of the school year we started Level One and are only half way through it. She can spell those words. Anything else, forget it, but so far, she can at least spell those! I am looking forward to seeing where it takes her!
I never realized how much I dropped my g’s until I got into phonics with my kiddos
Such a good reminder! I never realized how I said things differently, or how our region (south) had a different pronunciation than the “correct” one, until I started phonics and AAS with my daughter. I’m constantly checking myself now, to see if I’m doing it the same way that is stated in our book. Fascinating!
how true!
I have always wondered how people teach their kids to spell and read when they don’t pronounce things they way they are supposed to!
I dread trying to teach my kids to speak proper English as well as spell.
We live in the southern part of the states where the accents can be somewhat thick but I grew up in the west so its very different in the way words are pronounced. Try teaching your kids to speak without a southern accent when everybody they know has one ;-)
so encouraging! i needed the reminder! thanks!
i needed this reminder! thanks!
So true. Then you have many different dialects. In Pittsburgh its yinz ,, its not even a word. So da -boat -a – ya (The both of you) better get that English straight soon. LOL
I need all the encouragement I can get! Thank you!
This gave me a good chuckle – Thank You! Entertaining and informative…the best of both worlds!
Very true! This was a funny, but eye-opening post. :)