“Mispronunciated” Words: Mispronounced Words Matter

Words have power.

But it is not only the story that they tell.  How you say them can have more of an impact than you may realize.

And it has nothing to do with an accent.

Correct pronunciation tells your audience that you’re smart, careful, and that you know what you are talking about. Mispronouncing a familiar word can convey to a listener that you are not as knowledgeable as they might think you are.

Tell Your Ex- About It

These mispronounced words (written incorrectly here to emphasize the error) all begin with the “es” sound.

• “Excape”
• “Expresso”
• “Expecially”

Try to escape, especially to have an espresso!

Missing R’s

People have been known to drop letters from words and say them wrong as a result.

• “Febuary”
• “Liberry”

Go to the library during February.

Other Gaffes

Nucular – One leader made this word very well known. It’s “new + clear” (nuclear).
Supposably – this means that something is able to be supposed. For something that is supposed, we say “supposedly.”

Which are your pet peeves?

Pronounce words correctly to maintain and enhance your own credibility.

Learn more about Public Speaking Skills or other tools for your life – see our public class list for our upcoming seminars.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Other Resources:

10 Often Mispronounced English Words and Phrases

If You Mispronounce These 14 Words You’ll Sound Really Unprofessional

Speaking proper: does it matter if we can’t pronounce mispronunciation?