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Is There A Specific Ocean?

Without doubt, one of the biggest gripes I have is the pronunciation of the word 'specific' as 'Pacific'. Geography may not be my strong point, but I'm pretty certain there is no Specific Ocean, so why the confusion when asking somebody to do something in a precise and clearly identified manner?

Having worked as a professional writer for eight years, it is remarkable at how far this problem stretches. In taking briefs from company directors, CEOs, editors and experienced marketing campaigners, the amount of times I have been asked to 'pacifically' do something when they actually mean to 'specifically' do something runs into the hundreds, if not thousands. In being asked to 'pacifically' do something, are they actually asking me to do something peaceful in nature?

Now, I myself am culpable of slips of the tongue and mispronunciation - hence that's why I prefer to communicate with the written word - yet, such is the extent of the issue, it seems as though the majority of the UK is not being taught the English language.

The following is just a short list of the most common words in the English language that are commonly mispronounced:

- Espresso pronounced as expresso
- Regardless pronounced as irregardless (not so much a mispronunciation, more just a misunderstanding of the word)
- Prescription pronounced as perscription
- Tenterhooks pronounced as tenderhooks

The list goes on and on.

Since English is such an expressive language, it pains me to think of the extent to which its native users abuse it. Yes we have a multitude of social circles that abuse the language in different ways, but the great authors of British literature - think Shakespeare, Keats and Wordsworth - must be turning in their graves at the degeneration of the English tongue.

What should be most galling is that people from other nations learning English put the majority of the UK to shame with the accuracy of their phrasing. In fact, such is the high standards of their use of vocabulary and correct pronunciation that the language they speak can seem alien to the slang and lazy usage of the British.

Whether the cause is little more than ease of pronunciation, US-influence or the laziness of the speaker, I am not entirely sure. However, I just hope that future generations are taught to correctly pronounce the English language, else we will have a host of holidaymakers looking to embark on a cruise to the Specific Ocean!

Article Source: http://www.articleassets.com

Max Clarke is a copywriter for holiday services company, Holiday Extras, currently writing about airport car parking at Gatwick and Stansted.

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