Too many mispronounced words
THE EDITOR: The mispronunciation of some simple and frequently used words in the English language by individuals who should certainly know better, leaves me to wonder whether they attended school in their younger days and if in the affirmative, what were they thinking about when the English teacher was trying to teach them the language that is generally accepted as the official language of this country. I remember some years ago a journalist reporting tat at a gala occasion which he attended, one of the dignitaries referred to the word "faux pas" as "fox pass." One word that is frequently used and yet constantly mispronounced is the adjective "denominational" which is derived from the noun "denomination." Although I have tried to point out on several occasions, as have Mr Raul Duchausse and Mrs Undine Giuseppi who is probably the foremost authority on the English language in this country, Ministers of Government, TV announcers, newscasters and talk show hosts, Mr Trevor Oliver past President of TTUTA, and even leaders of many religious denominations in the country persist. Let me repeat for the sake of those that have difficulty in understanding that the correct pronunciation is "denomi/nation/al" and not "denomi/national" as so many individuals insist on saying. Another simple and frequently used word that is frequently mispronounced is "escape." I have even heard the Prime Minister say "excape" as a quality of other individuals of high office often do. These are merely a few examples taken at random but I am sure that there must be a quantity of other words in daily use that are being perpetually mispronounced by individuals who have attended institutions of tertiary education. Of course the present Minister of Education will be long remembered for her statement on TV that, she was able to increase the amount of "breakfasses" for the schoolchildren of the nation. That was a historical event that will be remembered long after she has departed this life. MARTIN KAVANAGH La Romaine
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"Too many mispronounced words"