Do you say "I want to AXE you a question?" or "I
want to ASK you a question"?
Do you say "eXpecially?" or "eSpecially"?
These are just 2 of the MOST mispronounced words spoken. They're
said by doctors, lawyers, even college professors!
I often want to tell them "spell eSpecially" for me!
But, I don't dare do it!
I had one instructor - TEACHING A CLASS - and she was wonderful!
She knew her stuff and she was the sweetest, most patient person in the world!
However!!! About 20 times a day - she would say "pacifically". She
was meaning to say "Specifically"!!!
It drove me INSANE! I felt even worse for her because she was an
African American woman and there were mostly Caucasian - high level government
employees in the room.
I truly contemplated for weeks about talking to her about this
very sensitive subject, but as much as it hurt my ears, and as much as I cared
for her and about how she was presenting herself, I just didn't have the heart
or the nerve to do it!
To this day - when I think of her - all that I think about is
"pacifically".
She left a lasting impression on me. Fortunately she had a much
nicer, brighter, wonderful side to her personality as well. But even with this
wonderful nature of hers - I truly thought of her speech as a desecration to the English language and hoped that she
would one day get stronger and improve her speaking skills.
In the near future - I will post a page with more of the most
commonly mispronounced words for you to review and consider practicing.