Fun With Homophones, Seriously

Homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air. (dictionary.com)

Learning the English language is difficult. This week in English class, we have been reviewing plural nouns, singular possessives and plural possessives. Yes, it is the joy that is teaching and so much more. It is tough enough for kids who have been in school for at least eight years to fully grasp grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling. Now, imagine you are just learning the English Language. You would be known as an ELL, English Language Learner. It is tough enough just being an English speaking person, reader and writer, but lets be honest, the rules of grammar and spelling in English are often so frustrating to make sense of. Now imagine you are from Russia. You have been here for a few years and you speak English and read well enough to get by. However, the nuances of our language, such as sarcasm and idioms tend to pass you by. Then, there are homophones. As the definition above states, such words are pronounced like another, but their meanings are different as are their spellings more often than not. I personally refer to homophones as word demons. There is nothing that irks me more than the incorrect usage of these words by adults who simply should know the difference between the meanings and the spellings. But I digress.

Take the homophone pair of DUTY and DOODIE

I mention to my class that I was not going to be having extra help because I had my afternoon duty. The class starts to laugh with the exception of my ELL student. She then asks me why the kids are laughing. I tell her it is because I said 'duty'. The laughing resumes and ELL's confusion grows. I ask her if she knows the definition of the word 'duty' and write it on the board. She tells me it means a job or obligation. I then ask her if she knows the word 'poop'. ELL laughs, as do the others, which lets me know she knows the meaning of the word. I then write the word 'doodie' on the board directly underneath 'duty'. This causes another student of mine to take off in a tailspin. I am firmly instructed to "Get that word off the board right now, Ms. Shapiro. It is inappropriate."

Was it inappropriate? Perhaps, but this was an opportunity for incidental learning not only for my ELL, but for the whole class regarding usage of words. I proceed to ask my student what word she used in Russia in place of doodie and of course it is a word i HATE...ca-ca (this is the correct spelling...I looked it up). This causes a new wave of hysterics and then I am given a brief lesson in Russian words for doodie. Apparently, I was saying it wrong.