Is it bad to you tell your mom that 'favorite' is pronounced as "Favorite" and not "Pavorite"? She tells me that... who cares if I pronounce it the wrong way, people would understand me anyway...*btw, I'm from the Philippines... *... I think that she thinks that me and my bro think that she's stupid... because...she keeps on telling her friend on phone that my children (becoz my bro's also like that) are arrogant... she keeps on saying, "People have different talents, I may not be good at English, but I'm good at medical stuff...they shouldn't think too big of themselves..." Waaa... I can't take this anymore, she thinks we think that she's stupid... waa...help! I keep on explaining that I don't think of her as a stupid person, I just want her to know the "right" pronounciation... ugh... someone help me!
2007-10-21 05:19:54 · 13 answers · asked by Lamwitchgirl 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
OH, so that's why... thanks!
2007-10-21 05:44:59 · update #1
My parents hate when I correct them, so just don't do it anymore.
2007-10-21 05:23:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Accents (what linguists call "intrusions) are very hard to break, unless the user wants to make the change.
It sounds like you mother KNOWS how the words are pronounced, so she does not need your constant reminders. If you keep correcting her, she will naturally think you consider her stupid.
She is correct about another thing. The Phillipine accent is pretty well understood by American English speakers. Communication is the point, not dialects. Do you think it would be appropriate to correct Southern people when they say "Yes, suh," instead of "Yes sir?" Is it your job to instruct people from Delaware that what they have eaten for generations is "Clam chowder," and NOT "Clam chowdah?"
If she needs help with a word, she will ask. From your statements, I think that she has gone to school for some kind of medical, or nurses training. Do you think that she could have gotten through that if she had any REAL problems with the language?
Give her a break. Apologise for what you have tried to do to her, in the past. Then offer to help her anytime SHE wants to ask for help.
2007-10-21 05:44:36 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My parents are from the Philippines and they've been here in the United States for over 30 years. They still have trouble pronouncing words and it's funny too.
2007-10-21 05:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it bothers her and she thinks that you are being disrespectful, you should just stop doing it. Maybe you are hurting her feelings. If she really wants to learn, she will eventually. She is your mother and deserves respect. I am sure that there are things that she has stopped correcting you about because of your age. Through respect for you.
Are you correcting her because she is wrong? Or because it bothers you? Or have you lost a certain amount of respect for her? Allow her her dignity. She deserves it. She brought you into the world and raised you. Pay it back with respect.
2007-10-21 06:23:31 · answer #4 · answered by guitarrman45 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't correct your parents. You know she's wrong, just let it go. You said something once, maybe it's just difficult for her to get it right. Some people have a hard time with the english language. I would never correct my parents for fear of them never talking to me again and if my children corrected me...I'd be very upset with them. There are worse things than mispronouncing a few words because your original language is not english. If it's bothersome to her (not you) she can take classes with a speech pathologist or someone who teaches english and they'll help her. They can sometimes even help people get rid of their accents, but she has to want to do it, not you.
2007-10-21 05:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by Katie H 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i am sure the accomplishments in your mothers life.. outweigh the fact..that she mispronounces a word or two. i think you are being petty... and disrespectful. once you realized she had no problem with her speech you and bro should have backed off. she was obviously not born speaking english..and has managed.. to raise.. 2 kids.. who know it all. if someone keeps correcting you... why would you not think ..that they were questioning your intelligence. i know alot of people who can say" favorite." and they are morons.
2007-10-21 05:34:09 · answer #6 · answered by foosieboy1953 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is inappropriate to correct your elders, parents or otherwise. It makes you appear arrogant and seemingly superior to them. It is not your duty to educate your mother, so let it go. She communicates well enough to have a job that presumably contributes to your home, food and clothing. Show a little respect.
2007-10-21 05:35:09 · answer #7 · answered by lfh1213 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She's your Mom, show her some respect. And, perhaps you are being a bit arrogant. One day, your Mom will be gone and you and your brother will wish you could hear her say "Pavorite" just one more time. It's such a small thing, let it go.
2007-10-21 05:30:12 · answer #8 · answered by Tira Misu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you've told her how to pronounce it and she doesn't want to, there's not much you can do, and you don't really need to. A lot of Philippino immigrants I know pronounce F's like P's. It's part of the accent; it's okay.
2007-10-21 05:28:51 · answer #9 · answered by chopchopchops 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it is important, correct them.
Daily language is not important enough to correct. Things like behavior are. Pick your battles.
2007-10-21 06:50:29 · answer #10 · answered by Thera 9 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋