Why bring this up? Most of us get along quite well despite the occasional FAAX-PAAS within our conversations. What's da big deal? English is riddled with invented words and slang, so how does a minor transgression in speaking a perfectly good word cause a problem?
In the worlds of education and business, people are judged in many ways: appearance, knowledge, confidence, skills, personality, and communication... did I mention communication? To the educated ear, the sound of a word poorly spoken is like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. It is the equivalent of wearing plaids with stripes and polka dots. It resonates poorly with the listener.
There are far more serious problems with the educational achievement of most people than a few words poorly spoken... except for those who have all of the other educational requisites for success. For those individuals who have the diplomas to testify to their educational accomplishments, the poorly spoken word is a testimonial to their lack of education. It sows the seeds of doubt in the minds of truly educated listeners.
For the curious:
- 100 most mispronounced words
- Pronunciation challenges
- Still can't figure it out - listen here
The way winter should look!