Toledo Speaks Out: President Bush says the English language is an important part of the American identity.

Toledo Speaks Out

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Thank You,
KraZyKat

Saturday, April 29, 2006

President Bush says the English language is an important part of the American identity.

"I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English,"

While I never claim to be an expert on the English language, I found it quite amusing that President Bush was lecturing people on learning how to speak it. Highlighted by his quote above, maybe he should adhere to his own advice and enroll in a remedial English course. Below are five examples of his mispronunciations of the English language. How many more can you come up with?

5 Mispronunciations by President Bush
President Bush's pronunciation................Correct Pronunciation
1. a-MERR-ca..............................................a-MER-i-ca (America)
2. NEW-cue-ler...........................................NEW-clee-er (nuclear)
3. JU-ler-ee.................................................JU-wel-ree (jewelry)
4. Anzar.....................................................Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar
5. Ne-VAH-duh...........................................Ne-VAE-duh) (Nevada)

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12 comments...click here to toggle comments below the post

12Comments:

Lisa Renee said...: I have to admit when heard him yesterday that crossed my mind as well.

:-); April 29, 2006 6:58 PM
JeepMaker said...: There's a big differnce between not knowing the native language and different pronunciations in differnt regions. Lots of southerners have a drawl, are they all stupid? Maybe they think WE sound odd.; April 30, 2006 9:28 AM
KraZyKaT said...: Jeepmaker... I am not implying that the President is dumb. There is a big difference to having an accent then to be using grammer which is incorrect. The correct verbage for the President would have been..."should learn English", not "ought to".

If the word "should" would only have had a southern draw to it I wouldn't have thought anything of it. But to completely use the wrong vernacular in this instance is unexcusable.

For a President of the United States who received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1968, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975; I guess I just expected more.; April 30, 2006 10:14 AM
JeepMaker said...: Oh jeez, I wish I had the code for the rolling eyes smiley. Now that type of nitpicking just sounds snobbish.; April 30, 2006 11:18 AM
KraZyKaT said...: I am not saying that the use of slang language is necessarily wrong. Hell, we all do it. Things like...

'Ya Know
Aint
uh huh
ought to
wanna

And bad grammer like...

I aint got nothing of anything
I gotta get me one of those...

In the correct setting these are common and accepted in the English language. I personally would not correct anybody on their grammer in a casual, social setting where the BS is flying. However, when you have a Public figure (especially the President of the United States) who is well educated and holds a Public Office of such high caliber preaching the merits of good English, is it to much to ask that he use it himself?

I wonder where his Speech Writer was?; April 30, 2006 11:56 AM
Berserker said...: "to much to ask"

C'mon Kwazy baby!

Ain't English a tough language?; April 30, 2006 12:43 PM
KraZyKaT said...: "to much to ask"

GOT ME!

It ought to read...

too much to ask?; April 30, 2006 1:10 PM
Berserker said...: How would I know?

I murder da lingo with every one of my fat fingered key taps.; April 30, 2006 4:06 PM
Kate said...: I have a book to refer to you. It is fantastic. The Quotable Politician. I have really enjoyed this book.

Edited by William B. Whitman.

Example: pg. 184. "You can fool too many of the people too much of the time" James Thurger. Writer/cartoonist.

Above it though - a sobering one: "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny". Thomas Jefferson.; May 01, 2006 11:17 AM
Ben said...: Jim, I think I just joined your blog (although my name isn't posted yet). Thanks for the invite and I look forward to participating.

Ben Konop; May 06, 2006 5:59 PM
Hooda Thunkit said...: I don't know if W's mispronunciations are due to his primary school education, his preschool environment, carelessness, laziness, or whatever.

Clearly, "English as a First Language" is in order.

But, it would destroy the man's charm ;-); May 09, 2006 11:02 AM
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