My daughter was reading a sentence that included the words “shoes” and “toes.” Now, she knows how to pronounce both, but seeing them together like that caused an unforeseen pronunciation problem.
She kept wanting to rhyme.
So, she said, “Shows and toes. No, shoes and toos.”
It was hysterical and kept going for a few minutes while we laughed.
But it reminded me that the most difficult language to learn is always the one that you’re learning, and I’m really thankful I already know English because to someone who doesn’t, it must make no sense.
I remember teaching ESL and trying to explain such things. I never quite succeeded. And, as a homeschooler, I don’t do much better.
All I can say is bless the hearts of English language learners everywhere!