I met a friend
Who carried in his hand
A bunch of lilies galore,
‘Ah! Those Flaars (flowers),’ I cried
He smirked and smiled.
‘Flaars are gone,’ he said
‘It’s Flah-wer you see,
Times are changing
You need a new dictionary!!!’
I brushed this meeting aside
Calling it his pride
Until a day in school
When a colleague pointed out
that Zeb-ruh (Zebra) is no more.
‘Poor souls!’ I lamented
‘Were they in the endangered list?’
‘Come on!’ she sighed
‘It’s Zee-bruh and that’s what you’ve missed!!!’
‘Oh!’ I said
‘I Of-tuhn (often) miss these things now.’
‘Tsk Tsk. Of-uhn, you missed that too somehow.’
I was beginning to panic
It was a little too much,
My honour was at stake, already, as such.
I began to tread carefully,
And invested
in a new dictionary
that would help me learn
if it was
Z-ed (Z) or Zee
And so, I sat in Prai-vuh-see (privacy)
of my little room
Only to know that it was Priv-uh-see
a little too soon!!!
I began to feel asphyxiated
and asked for some Wodder (water)
Only to be ticked off politely
before being given some Wahta.
I was beginning to feel like a freak
And thought I’d do well
to join my Cleek (clique).
‘Welcome to the Clik,’ they said.
‘This learning will stand you in good stead!’
Even moments of Lezh-uh (leisure)
seemed utterly confused
For Lee-zhuhr
It was pointed out
was completely misconstrued.
It was time I put my foot down
And pop in a Vit-a-min (vitamin)
‘Vaite-a-min,’ someone screamed.
‘Does it really matter,’ I said
‘As long as I know, what I’m taking in!’
There’s never a single way
To say the things you mean
Language is no more than a tool to express
and pronunciation no big deal!
Language variation is real
So, don’t judge me by your rule,
As long as you understand what I mean
Don’t mind my calling it shedual (schedule) or skedule.
It’s time you stop obsessing
with the rolling of those Rs,
Look a little further
Don’t fret over the Varz (vase).
Even if I call it Vays
It doesn’t change what it is
No matter what everyone says!!!
So, don’t lose your sleep
Over measly Zee and Z-ed
Just widen your horizon
and enjoy this diversity instead!
****************************************************************
This post is the last in a series written for Blogchatter’s AtoZChallenge 2019. The other posts in this series may be read here.
Hahaha! This was awesome! I was reminded of my voice and accent training in Delhi, when I started my BPO stint! 😀
Excellent take on Z.
Btw, how do I continue to follow your blog? FB and Twitter are not reliable.
I do have a follow the blog section here. Thanks so much. But is it because we are on blogspot and wordpress because even I am unable to follow your blog.
Sonia …. this reminded me of the poem Hints on pronunciation on foreigners and believe me yours is outstanding . Would proudly share your write up .congratulations !!looking forward for more!
Thank you Shubh.
Thanks for sharing such a nice article
SO amazing, SO relevant! You really should write more free verse – it brings out the best in you. I have loved following your blog this past month and will continue to do so. Keep inspiring us with your heartfelt work <3
Thanks so much! Feelings are mutual. Let’s keep writing!
Eh!! How come this comment didnt go through yet?? :/
Loved the poem Sonia!! Very well used words humourously!! 🙂
Thank you
Congrats on completing the series
Interesting… and a very creative expression Sonia…. am so glad to discover your blog through BlogchatterA2Z… You have an avid reader and a loyal fan in me now…. See u around…
Thank you so much for staying on and being such a wonderful reader. I’m a little poor in my social skills so couldn’t reciprocate well. But appreciate all your love!
Funny , interesting and awesome as always. congratulations on completing your atozchallenge journey 💐💐
Thank you Shruti.
Your writing skills are a no match! The way you play with words and come up with the simple yet impactful messages is just outstanding! Thank you for this lovely and humorous lesson of phonetics. Glad that I discovered your blog via this challenge. Hearty ongratulations to complete this marathon!
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the blog Rashmi. Thank you for so much love.
Pleasure is all mine!
hehe so true!! Loved how you expressed
Thank you so much!
You are a wordsmith my dear. This is why I keep saying that you are a writer par excellence. The way you have played with phonetics and words is outstanding.
Thanks so much!!💐💐
This is an exceptional piece of huuy-mer (humour) Sonia…just loved reading it and savouring the diversity of pro-noun-siya-shon (pronounciation)..
Keep writing girl..look forward to much more from you!!
Thank you Richa. You have been a wonderful support.
By the way -the word is pronounced as – pro-NUN-ciation!! (wink wink)
Ha ha… That’s another nazi thing!!!🤣🤣
Wow!!! One of the best.. very well written and clearly conveys the message..
Thank you so much!!💐💐
so well done – 😊😊😊
Thank you 💐💐
My pleasure
Haha! I’m more of a British English than American English.
I think most old schools are, hence all the confusion.
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful articles Sonia. I used to look forward for a new read every day. You have got such an amazing talent. Each article is a delight and nothing could have been better than this poem for a grand finale 👏👏👍👍🙂
Thanks for being regular on reading the blog