Thursday, February 21, 2008

hooked on phonics

Henri tells me that his teachers call him HEN-ree. (As in a few of his preschool teachers during our church's mom's group.)

I ask him, "Do you mind being called HEN-ree?"

He replies, "No, because that's what teachers do. Teachers call me HEN-ree."

"But your name is Henri (on-REE)," I say.

"The teachers call me HEN-ree, and you call me ON-ree," he explains.

"Hey, Henri (on-REE)," Johnny chimes in. "You got the em-PHA-sis on the wrong syl-LA-ble."

"No, Mama & Papa. See HHHHHEENN-rrreeee," he carefully sounds out for us.

Due to his interest in spelling and sounding out words, it seems Henri (on-REE) is realizing his name doesn't sound the way it looks.

I completely understand. I had to go through the same thing as a child. Yvette. ee-VET, not YA-vet or IH-vet or UH-vet.

I guess we wanted to put our son through the same turmoil. It's really not that bad.

4 comments:

Rachel said...

He's a smart little cookie! Perhaps you better get him hooked on French phonics.

I remember correctly, I think I called you "AH-vet" for years or at least months.

Anonymous said...

Hooked on French Phonics, hardy har har!

Having the MOST common name of all girls when I was born, I did not go through the same "turmoil." It doesn't sound like it bothers On-Ree one bit!!

I love his name, by the way. I LOVE unique names!!

Kristi said...

That is funny! :-) He is a smart cookie!!

Jenna said...

dang. i think i've called you ya-vette a lot. i think it will take a little verbal and mental therapy for me to get it right. be prepared for me to just look at you blankly as i recall this mental image: ee-vet. i'm very visual. soon enough, the recall time will be lightning-quick.