Thursday, May 25, 2006

Diction and Pretension

Yesterday, I attended a training seminar for accountants. Yes, it was about as exciting as you are envisioning.

Anyway, the gentleman who spoke during lunch was a very bright man. He was presenting a forecast of the energy industry over the next 25 years.

He would pronounce his words very preciscely... "twen-ty" and "Muh-lai-see-a" and "In-doe-nee-see-a." I appreciated his good diction (though I think he went a bit overboard on those two country names)

Midway through the presentation, he started talking about sources of power... such as "nu-cu-ler." Very nice, I thought... very nice, indeed.

I just laughed every time he said it... at least it kept me awake.

8 comments:

Troy said...

I had a college professor that would stress proper diction. I was in a class with him once that had fish, sophs, juniors, and seniors. The prof had just finished coming down hard on a fish for mispronouncing "nu-cle-ar." I had another legitimate comment for the discussion, and being the good senior student, couldn't help myself. I voiced my opinion on the "nu-cu-ler" subject, much to the amusement of my classmates. I guess it isn't wise to make fun like that, but it was good times.

Laurie said...

Troy,
Is this anything like the difference between "intresting" and "in-ter-est-ing"?

Todd, I am so bored I could slit my wrists and date...well, you know.

knelson said...

One of my favorites - bless his heart - is Jimmy Swaggert's "Nunited States of America"- yep, heard it myself! But just to be fair - when I'm in a hurry, i have tripped over saying "prayer requests" more times than I care to admit. Somehow it ends up "prayer wequests" or "pwayer request" or something similar. I'm not sure why other than the phonics combo.

Laurie said...

Ms. Kathy, your comment reminds me of something a friend said during a group prayer time. She was trying to say the word "bless" but instead it came out as "breast." This has been the source of much laughter and fun ever since.

Anonymous said...

I still for for "breast"ings....

Anonymous said...

Todd, did you ever have econ with darrat and his medium of "cha-change" instead of exchange?

sally said...

Hey Todd! It's Sally Foreman Harrison... long time, no see. I just found Mrs. Kathy's blog with the mother-lode of old Tech people's links, so I'm checking a few out. Glad I found you and see you're doing well. I'm in Mississippi - proud mom of boy/girl twins who are 2 1/2 now. Never a dull moment at our house! Check them out at http://harrisoncrew.blogspot.com They're pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

Now to your blog topic... Why is it that some people insist on putting invisible letters in some words? i.e. Chicago/Chi-car-go

Jen said...

I just read the last comment and for a second thought you went to Texas Tech and I was going to have to call our almost engagement off. But then I remembered it was La. I am relieved, and we're still on ;)