Childhood mispronunciations are very common (the typical one being pisgetti for spaghetti) and I was always irritated when they were used in commercials because (not being a parent) I thought... why do you want to encourage children to be idiots? But now I realize, that while I want William to grow up speaking properly (you don't AX someone a question, you ASK it... and the next adult I hear say otherwise, I'm going to backhand)... I am going to enjoy his fun, endearing little mispronunciations while I can, because they just kill me. To date... here are some of his best:
efalant = elephant
tefelone = telephone
instruction = construction
alligator = elevator (this is a particular favorite because I love to see people's faces when he asks me if we can take the alligator)
lesterday = yesterday
flamgango = flamingo
sketti - spaghetti
The best one, by far, however, was a one time mispronunciation that caused a lot of confusion and laughter recently. The following is our conversation at the table:
William: Mommy, Daddy... can I have some swami rules? (we stare at him blankly and then look at each other)
Me: Hon, what did you just hear?
Mike (shaking his head): Swami Rules?
Me: That's what I heard too.
Mike: What did you want William?
William: Swami Rules! (he's indignant now)
Me: I'm sorry... say that again?
William: Swami Rules!!
Me: what do they look like? (William looks at me like I'm insane)
Mike: do you play with them?
William: NO! You KNOW... swami rules.
Me: where would I find them?
William: the frigerator!
Mike: You eat them?
William: (he cannot believe we're this dumb) Yeah! Swami rules!!
Mike: Do you mean SALAMI rolls? (I roll up his lunch meat so he can just eat it like finger food since he doesn't actually eat sandwiches)
William: (long pause)... YES, sa-la-mi rolls (saying it real slowly)
Mike and I laughed so hard (mostly with relief) and brought him his lunch. We could not believe it took us that long to give our poor kid some lunch, but Jesus.. swami rules?
The other mispronunciation that I love I also have to tell a story with because it will show you just how clever and plotting 3 year olds can be. William has trouble with the word "pretend". It often comes out as "atend" or "tend"... but the reason I love hearing it so much is that William uses it not during playtime, but as a clever method to try to get what he wants. Case in point: We all go get ice cream a few weeks ago (when it was still hot) and I get coffee ice cream and I get William chocolate. The following is a little peek into how my son's brain works:
William: mommy, can I try yours?
Me: sure William, I don't think you'll like it, it's coffee flavored. You have yummy chocolate.
Willam: but can I try?
Me: sure!
William (after tasting): mmmmm.... that's good
Me: cool, glad you like it.
William: can I try some more?
Me: sure! (but now he's trying many bites and not eating his own)
Me: hey William, why don't you eat your ice cream and let me eat mine. You have all that yummy chocolate.
William: ummmm... i like yours.
Me: well, you need to eat yours.
William: wanna trade?
Me: no thank you William, just eat your chocolate and you can share some of mine.
William (after a long time of eating his own): Mommy, wanna 'tend I'm the mommy and you're the son? (he often asks to play this game so he can repeat something I've said back to me)
Me: sure!
William (taking our ice cream bowls and switching them): okay! then let's 'tend this is my ice cream and chocolate is yours! (and begins digging into my coffee ice cream)
I just laughed and "pretended" with him. He couldn't finish all mine, so I did end up getting some of my own ice cream. Lesson learned - order him coffee ice cream next time!!!