This is how my 52 year old mother pronounces, legitimate. "Lezit, am I saying it right? Lezit? man, why is it so hard?" She asks as she laughs it off. I usually find this really amusing, until it starts to rub off on me.
Salmon was on the menu for lunch today. To most Americans, Salmon is pronounced "Sam-in" but to my Korean parents, it is pronounced how it is spelled, "Sal-mon".
After hearing this repeatedly I can NOT stop myself from pronouncing it incorrectly!
Chantilly is another one. It is correctly pronounced "Shan-tilly", not that my parents can't pronounce it, this is purely habit. We like to pronounce it Chan-tilly, with a very harsh "CH" sound. I mean it's reading 101, a C and H together makes a "CH" sound!
Anyway, I already know, I will forever pronounce these words incorrectly, so thanks Mom and Dad!
Accents.
I remember Laya asking me, "Do my parent's have an accent?"
Even if your parents have an accent, you never really seem to hear it. I am so used to hearing my parent's English it sounds perfectly normal to me. That is until, I hear them speak around other people or consciously try to notice it. The context shift suddenly makes me aware of the subtle Korean accent they have. It's a very rare occasion so it is really weird to hear.
Don't get me wrong, my parent's English is far from imperfect or broken, they have been here since they were in high school. But I wonder how much it has affected my English and grammar over my childhood. I know my grammar and spelling are atrocious, but I'm pretty sure that is because I didn't pay much attention in elementary school!
My Dad thinks it puts me at a disadvantage compared to English speaking (white) households. He thinks because I wasn't exposed to English as readily as other children my grammar and even my pronunciation will never be completely perfect, even with practice.
My Dad also jokes every time I try to correct his English by saying in a fake thick accent "hey, I am a FOB, no speak English!" laughing as he raises his hands in defeat.
If only the world had ONE language, then he would have no excuse!
You have to see it as the glass half full not empty! With accents comes the added knowledge of a different language. Just because there is an accent in one language and a bit of imperfections here and there with grammer and pronouncing of words doesn't make the language any weaker. It actually shows a skill not many have!
ReplyDeleteSo tell you're dad that being a fob can be a good thing :) He's got skills not everyone has and his accent is just subtly letting others know that!