The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-06
TRIPS UP ON WORDS.
SOME GRAVE ERRORS MADE IN
PRONUNCIATION.
Important Particulars-Hints on
spanish Usage That Are Tine


o.n pronunciation. saving such words a.
pict-yEre and ''dg-yUre' with a mad
dening elaboration, but she does not scra-
pie to correct her husband. and even 10
look askanee at her friends when their
careless tongues twist a wcrd out OF all
sembiance 10 what II should be according
10 the rules laid down by the grea, author
i,ies.
One Sunday abou. the beginning OF the
Hspano-American war when Mr.. and Mrs.
Jackson were walking home from church
the former sa.dS
That sermon was Ane one; It was cpe
or the best that have ever heard His
wife was silent.
Didn't YOU consider 1t exceptionally
good?" persisted Mr.. Jackson, who likes
10 have people agree with him.
II would have bean fine," returned Mrs
Jackson with sigh. IF he had not made
those mistakes In his pronunciation. He
said 'nacher' instead OF .nate-yure,' ne
pottsrn instead Of 'nep-otism' and accented
the second instead Of the third syllable Of
'coad1utor.'
Il was listening to his sermon and not
TO the pronunciation of words" said Mr..
Jackson. somewhat testify.
The professor always told US to say
spronunshiation,' remarked his wife cold
ly. Il have told you that more than once.
Lemuel.'
a minister like ours" went on Mr..
Jackson. whose memory Is mine Of rich
resources"
Pardon me-" interrupted his wife, why
do you always accent the first syllable In
that word resources? II / were In your
place / should not use 1t any more until /
could say it correctly"
He corrected his error resignedly. but
there was an odd twinkle in his eyes that
afternoon as he carefully read over certain
advertisements in the Sunday papers.
Having answered one Of these advertise
nlents he received q call two days later
from Spaniard with a wiry figure and
hungry expression. whose card bore the
imposing name Of Don Ramon Alcachofa
v Oividado.
You will find that my accent is per-
feet said Senior Olvidado, in reply to a
question from Mr.. jackson. II speak my
language not as they do in Galic.a, not as
they do In Andalusia, not as they do In
Catalonia, but as 1t is spoken in Madrid:
self up proudly.
What is the dlfYerenceT inquired Mr..
Jackson.
II will give you an example. senior. For
How do you do. we say. Como esta
usted.'' The in the last word seemed
TO melt on the end of his tongue. In
Granada they say: Como otty uty.' 1t is
like the language OF babies. The Cast!lian
proneunces ce and CT and with a-ah,
how do you call that word in English"
and he snapped his fingers and looked per-
picked.
with a gasp?" suggested Mr.. Jackson.
No, senior. no. All. / have it. With
lisp so. /, is only Mexleans and ignorant
Span!ards who say ii otherwise.
We'll, I want you to give me all the lat
est kinks said Mr.. Jackson.
There is nothing late In my language, 1t
never changes.
Go ahead then and let us get to busi-
ness" returned the wouid-be pupil hrisSly.
II want you 20 come every Day for TWO
weeks and teach me all there is to Know
about the pronunciation. l can learn good
biz about ii in that time, chr
Most certainly. senior.
You see, / want to learn how to pro-
nounee the names of all those people,
towns and boats we read about every day
in the papers. In short. / want 10 take
bird s-eye view. as it were, Of your Ian
guage. You advertised to teach without
books. so now go ahead"
And SO they began. The Spaniard touched
his eyes and said Los ohos' his nose.
and said La nareeth." writing the words
"oios'' and nariz' OH a piece of paper TO
show the pronunciation. and as the lesson
went on the pupil found himself growing
more and more interested.
AT the end of two weeks Mr.. Jackson
came home one afternoon in an unusually
per into his wife's lap. asked her to read
TO him.
This was by no means a customary re-
quest and Mrs. jackson, who was rather
fond OF reading aloud, anllahy complied
with It.
She unfolded the paper anu began AT iie
top Of the first page:
-; il reported that the Spanish squad
ron Of four cruisers, Atrirante Cauendo-,-
"All-me-rahn-tay O-ken-do." corrected
Mr. Jackson.
Looking somewhat surprised, she con-
,inued THE vizcaya-'
"veetb-cah-e-ah. interrupted her hus
band. That boat was named for the Bay
cf Rlscsy. which they call 'Feeth-cai-e-
an repeating the word with great salts
faction. She bi. her lip ard looked vexed.
She had intended to read Up on these
Spanish words. but the press OF house
cleaning ard dressmak!ng had prevented.
IT should like 20 know how you happen
"a he 50 clever all AZ once" she remarked
| sonaew hat tartly.
II have made the acquaintance II an
agreeable and well-educated Spanlard
Castiian. who has gwen me some point-
ers Oh the Subject. / consider II almost IN
excu>as.e to make mistakes in those words
which one sees row every Day. Bui pray
proceed"
'"r'he Maria Teresa
''Mah-ree-aa Tay-ray- sab" interposed
Nj Jackson
Well. let them go" she said II don't
see why the papers must run over tae
names Of thoss, Oh boats every time that
aotsia Is n2ent0nesi"
'.F'lo-tesl-yah. Matilda. fo-teeyah."
sa.a her husband: "taAi double IS one AZ
The pre:tIest sounds n the CasiIlian
tsF. ss.e.''
't.anmanset b. Admiral Cervera' -
Gene. come" interrupted her husband
tapping fhe arm 4 his chair WITH h.s psa-
elk ''you should sav Thare-Eay--I1h.'
So went on rapidly: Seem - be
healing FOR cteBfgsas.
A. she uttered tae sast woy3 n. Jack
son assumed an expression OF acute pain.
such as Theodore Thomas nigh; wear Z
camr<iIed 20 listen - q horrible 4IsC3E3.
That - not 'SBg6-eu-few-e~E its. " ne
rroaued. 1T 81 Thee-sn-foo-a- eass Tined
zcagsd STaHsavyls might cail that first Syl