In collage, I met a bright student who had an extensive vocabulary, but always pronounced things incorrectly. His accents were on the wrong syllables. But as I grow to know him better, I learned he was entirely homeschooled and never heard those words spoken. He only read them.
I recently heard about people mispronouncing the tea, chamomile “cammo-meal” as “cha-momma-lay.” At first, I thought it sounded ridiculous. But then I remembered that student and was charmed all over again. It’s wonderful to learn new words and then be bold enough to try them out. That should be celebrated with a nice cup of cha-momma-lay.
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