All About Abby
Abby has gotten hubby and me self-conscious of our (English) pronunciation. Hubby and I may not have been raised in the US but I can safely say that our tongues are “tender” enough to pronounce most words properly. But we have our occasional lapses. That, I am willing to admit. :D
One night during bedtime story time, hubby pronounced Ariel’s (the Little Mermaid) dad’s name , King Triton, such that it sounded like the Filipino nickname “Ton-Ton”. Abby was quick to correct her dad…
Abby: Try-TEHN, Dad, not Try-TON. Mom, Dad said Try-TON!
For my part, I got corrected when I said the name Sarah. I thought I said it properly but noooo, Abby thought otherwise…
Abby: SEH-ruh.
The other day, we had Baked Salmon for dinner…
Hubby: What kind of fish is that?
Abby: Sahl-MEHN
Hubby: Hmp, salMON (stress on “mon” as in the Tagalog word “balbon” meaning hairy.)!
Abby: (mimicks her dad) SalMON!
Me: (gives hubby a deadly stare) Sahl-MEHN is correct Abby. SalMON is Tagalog.
Hubby: What’s the Tagalog for Try-TEHN (King Triton).
Abby: Try-TON!
Hubby: What’s the Tagalog for Sahl-mehn?
Abby: Sal-MON!
I hope Abby doesn’t join the ranks of US-raised Filipinos and Fil-Ams who make fun of the way their parents speak English. Because really, I won’t give her the light of day when she says “MAG-SEY-SEY” for Magsaysay. Ha! :P
oOo
While listening to the car stereo on our way to school one morning, Abby hears the name “Angelina Jolie” …
Abby: Mommy! Angelina Jolie! That’s Tigress!
Me: Oh, you mean from Kung Fu Panda?
Abby: Yes! And Jacky Chan is the monkey, Jack Black is the Panda, Lucy Liu is Viper!
My, what a roll call! :D
oOo
Abby likes music. She always asks hubby and me to turn up the volume of the car stereo, specially when it’s her favorite songs that are playing. Like most kids her age, she likes Disney’s singing sensations: the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. On our first few days here in the US in 2007, she immediately warmed up to Gwen Stefani’s “Sweet Escape”. She hums and sings along to tunes by Fergie (Big Girls Don’t Cry), Leona Lewis (Bleeding Love), Alicia Keys (No One), Natasha Bedingfield (Pocketful of Sunshine) and Taylor Swift (Love Story). She also like Jesse McCartney. She says her current favorite is Beyonce. Upon hearing the intro of a song one time, she told me it’s a song by Nickelback. Hello?! :) And believe it or not, she sings along to Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Pray’r”! Haha!
Speaking of Abby and music, here is a video from January last year, taken when my Mom was here on vacation and which will always be one of my all-time favorite Abby videos…
Have a wonderful weekend, y’all! Cheers and mabuhay!
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hi..i have been a fan of yours for the past 2 years i guess….just can’t help leaving a comment about your post “all about abby” and by the way your daughter is beautiful…i was just talking to one of my friends about how our kids are correcting us…like you, i can also safely say that i pronounce most words properly…my son is 7 and he is in first grade isn’t as mean as my 5 year old daughter..maybe it is a girl thing ? :)
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hala, metikulosa….but good! — Wouldn’t want to see my kids ala Happy Slip either! lol.
My older son is the meticulous one when it comes to pronunciations, not with English but German as I am the one who corrects his English that follows German intonation(pati tagalog)…he sounds like singing all the time! His lola (mil to me) jokes with him always and says “Punp” he immediately correct her “funf! lol…
Now give my hugs to yur cute daugh-tah! ok? :D
Gmirages last blog post..Photohunt – Bridge
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I’m really so amused with Abby! She’s soooooo cute and very beautiful, but most of all, a very smart kid!
Greetings from an avid fan. :-)
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Hi That is cute. About the Salmon. I’ve been corrected on this too by an American friend. (I hate being corrected too!). It’s actually Sah-men. L is silent daw. Hmph!
pinayhekmis last blog post..Missing My Other Half
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so funny! :D the talented Little Miss Abby ang anak mo, Weng! kakatuwa! official entertainer na talaga sya sa household nyo :)
ako naman ang nagco-correct sa ‘kin si husband. at tuturuan nya daw ang anak namin na mag-pronounce properly ng English words. asus, eh ako kaya ang may AB degree sa ‘min!
Gracies last blog post..dreaming of Canada
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hehe, funny exchange with your hubby and abby. it’s amazing how kids adapt to the language so easily and effortlessly.
lovely video too, kakatuwa, naubo pa sa huli tapos ang daming tumawa sa background. :D
odettes last blog post..the birthday giveaway
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Nakakaaliw naman si Abby. She reminds me of my children, who correct their Lola’s pronunciation ;)
Sleepless In KLs last blog post..KL Skyline At Dusk
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Naku po American english pa yan, paano kaya kami rito…
Anyway pigil na pigil pagtawa ko rito dahil natutulog na si Mia. Nice one Ate Weng! Abby is such a darling pa rin. :)
Twinkies last blog post..Share Bear
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o diba?! ang mga bata rito icocorrect tayo sa diction naten! hahaha. nakikinita kinita ko na yan pag nagsasalita na ang junakis ko, hahaha
elas last blog post..bullets on hearts’ day
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usually, when hubby ang i speak english with the tagalog accent, hindi na kami kino-correct ng anak ko. either tanggap na niya na hindi na namin kayang i-contort ang aming mga dila ala-americana or hindi lang niya kami talaga maintindihan, hehehe.
so its bal-behn pala in english? :D
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