I have sat here saying merry-mary-marry, and I can't hear a lick of difference. I have a Chicago accent altered by 35 years in the South, which pretty much means that I sound like a national newscaster who uses Southern idiom.
Mal: Okay. She won't be winning any beauty contests anytime soon. But she is solid. Ship like this, be with ya 'til the day you die. Zoe: 'Cause it's a deathtrap.
'Out Of Gas'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Ginger - Mar 18, 2004 5:56:19 pm PST #1547 of 10002
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
Steph L. - Mar 18, 2004 6:29:39 pm PST #1548 of 10002
I look more rad than Lutheranism
Mary has the same sound as "air." Merry has the same vowel as "egg." Marry has the same vowel as "cat."
So, they're theoretically pronounced M-air-ee (Mary), M-eh-ree (Merry), and M-aah-ree (Marry)?
dcp - Mar 18, 2004 6:35:41 pm PST #1549 of 10002
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
My step-mother went to elementary school in Ithaca NY, then junior high in Atlanta GA. When she started high school in Sacramento CA she was told she had a "speech defect" and sent to remedial English. Made her so mad she is now a Ph.D. in linguistics.
Hil R. - Mar 18, 2004 7:13:00 pm PST #1550 of 10002
Sometimes I think I might just move up to Vermont, open a bookstore or a vegan restaurant. Adam Schlesinger, z''l
So, they're theoretically pronounced M-air-ee (Mary), M-eh-ree (Merry), and M-aah-ree (Marry)?
Yes.
One of my cousins lived in Western Massachusetts until he was 6, and then his family moved to California. His school put him into speech therapy because they thought he couldn't pronounce the letter R.
Anne W. - Mar 19, 2004 1:08:22 am PST #1551 of 10002
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.
So, they're theoretically pronounced M-air-ee (Mary), M-eh-ree (Merry), and M-aah-ree (Marry)?
I can make the distinction if I really, really try, but it's more trouble than it's worth.
Jessica - Mar 19, 2004 3:27:30 am PST #1552 of 10002
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I had a camp counselor once named Merry, and we used to spend hours sitting around the cabin going "Mary....Merry....Mary....Merry...Mary..." to see if anyone could hear the difference. What we found out was that we all thought we were pronouncing them differently, but in reality, nobody else could hear it.
Fred Pete - Mar 19, 2004 3:46:52 am PST #1553 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
Kiddleeiveytoowooodenchew?
My old tag line!
Vortex - Mar 19, 2004 4:13:16 am PST #1554 of 10002
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman
So, I click on the challenged books link to get some new reading material and find this:
"Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language and occult/satanism.
WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!? Now, it's been a while since I read the book, but I think there's one "damn".
Emlah - Mar 19, 2004 4:58:21 am PST #1555 of 10002
To every idea a shelf...
From the article:
"I was flabbergasted," Hartsell said. "My child is not old enough to understand something like that, especially when it is not in our beliefs."
I really hate this stance. A while ago in Australia there was a kerfuffle on talk back radio about a renovation show that featured a male gay couple. People were calling up and saying things like "It's on at 6pm when my kids are watching, why should I have to explain homosexuality to them?". Well, it's a part of our reality as human beings and your job is to teach them about reality, even the bits you don't agree with. That's a). And b), at least have the courtesy to treat your kid like a human being and explain to them why this lifestyle choice is against your beliefs rather than simply pretending it doesn't exist.
Please note, I'm not a parent so I may be being extremely naive here.
The Hartsells said they are keeping the book until they get assurances it won't be circulated.
The arrogance of this just floors me.
From the Challenged list:
"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris, for homosexuality, nudity, sexual content and sex education. (italics mine)
Wouldn't want that, would we!
ETA: I'm really surprised that The Amber Spyglass isn't on that list. Also, I second the WTF? on Bridge to Terabithia.
Fred Pete - Mar 19, 2004 5:43:37 am PST #1556 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
The arrogance of this just floors me.
I'm tempted to invite myself to their home to review their literature, to make sure none of it offends my beliefs.
Not that I'd do it, but I can only assume from their statements that they woudn't object if I did. Equal treatment for all, and all that.