During my childhood, one of my mother's favorite phrases was, "Put the emphasis on the right syllable". It was an inside joke, of sorts. The kind between mother and daughter where you might wink at each other or look at each other with no word exchange but still know exactly what the other person was thinking. For us, the phrase really meant to say what you mean and mean what you say.
On my walk this morning, as often happens, words or thoughts pop into my head, seemingly for no reason at all. Ideas that are born from my cerebrum, in some tiny, dark speck, much like the speck on the flower in the cartoon/movie, "Horton Hears A Who".
The two words du jour that came to my attention are 'compress' and 'impress'. (Don't even wonder why. I'm scared to find out.)
Just consider how important placing the right emphasis on the correct syllable is. In our language, syllable emphasis is everything.
Take the word compress. If I ask for a compress, more than likely I have injured, strained or sprained some body part and, by requesting a compress I am seeking relief from pain. However, if I mispronounce the word and ask for a compress, I may very well endure terrific pain and end up in a tiny square shape, destined for a landfill somewhere. Same word, BIG difference in meaning depending on how I pronounce the word.
The same can be said for the word impress. If I say I wish to impress another individual, I would be indicating that I want to behave myself, speak with good purpose, dress appropriately and make a favorable impression. On the other hand, if I say I want to impress someone, I would be making a less-than-favorable impression (pun intended) as I leave marks in the skin of the unfortunate person, thereby failing to impress.
The caveat to all of us is to speak with good purpose and enunciate carefully. If we don't, we might very well find ourselves smaller than we desire or branded with a corporate logo in a conspicuous place on our bodies!
Ancora imparo
