FEB-ew-ERR-ee
or
FEB-roo-ERR-ee
My four year old grandson is learning his days and months. How quickly they grow up. In a quiet conversation about how
to remember the names of the months of the year, this bright young man corrects me in mid-sentence: “Grandma you are
thaying it wong, its FEB eeewww ary. Like a yucky ary.”
I was at a loss for words, my first thought was to correct him on the spot. Then I put myself in his tiny shoes.
Someone had already taught him a different way – a right way in his young mind. I have to tread carefully to avoid confusing
this intelligent little being. At the same time, I had been saying it correctly all my life. I certainly did not want my grandchild out
there mispronouncing the name of such an important month. I decided to delve into the best way to approach correcting him.
I spoke to teachers and scholars and colleagues and friends. Many of those I sought out are vastly more literate and
intelligent than I am. The answer would be there, with them: the enlightened ones. My excitement turned into frustration as
each of these great minds baffled me with, well, you know.
To my dismay, as I have always considered myself a well versed orator, I was wrong. Well, wrong is maybe too strong a
word. I was incorrect in my assumpti ۈ ]H