All Ears English Podcast AEE 2005: Colonel or Kernel? Avoid these Pronunciation Mistakes in English
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Jun 8, 2023 Dive into the fascinating world of English pronunciation! The hosts tackle common mispronounced words like 'island' and 'colonel,' revealing the quirky history behind them. Personal stories and listener questions add depth to their exploration. They discuss the multifaceted meanings of 'kernel,' from popcorn to idioms. A playful comparison of American and British pronunciations showcases the complexities of the language. Plus, they touch on how stereotypes can affect athletic performance in a light-hearted volleyball anecdote—perfect for anyone navigating the nuances of English!
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Childhood Pronunciation Confusion
- Lindsay McMahon was confused by the word "island" as a child, thinking it was pronounced "is-land".
- She also struggled with "kernel", expecting it to be pronounced "colonel" due to the spelling.
Listener Question on "Kernel"
- Listener Jeff Wu, a management consultant in Japan, struggles with the word "kernel".
- He questions why the 'r' sound is present despite its absence in the spelling.
Etymology of "Colonel"
- The word "colonel" comes from the French word "colonelo", derived from the Italian word for column.
- English retained the French pronunciation but adopted a spelling without the 'r', causing confusion.
