Pronunciation ChallengeHow You Could Ruin Someone's Day or Life

“Words can break someone into a million pieces, but they can also put them back together. I hope you use yours for good, because the only words you’ll regret more than the ones left unsaid are the ones you use to intentionally hurt someone.” - Taylor Swift

Hello everyone, it’s your host for the Pronunciation Challenge show, Hubert Tran. In today’s episode, we’ll be watching a video on words and how a little comment here or there can ruin your day, week, months, or even years! To be honest, I’m an extremely sensitive person. There are things that were said to me 15 years ago that still haunt me to this day. I try to remind myself that however a person treats you or says to you is merely a reflection of their character and not yours. A good friend of mine once told me that holding a grudge (a grudge is a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury.) is like letting the person who wronged you live rent-free in your mind. The person who wronged you probably isn’t even thinking about you but here you are wasting your time and energy on this person. I have to remind myself that their opinion of me doesn’t mean it’s a fact. However, when everyone has a similar opinion about me that I find hurtful then maybe I have to do some self-reflection. Alright, let’s get to the featured sentence and come back so we can talk some more.

Today’s featured sentence:
“It isn't because we aren't wealthy or revered in elite circles that we thereby lose a capacity either to comfort or to wound strangers.”

I’ll say that again.

“It isn't because we aren't wealthy or revered in elite circles that we thereby lose a capacity either to comfort or to wound strangers.”

Ok, now time for the Pronunciation Tips.


For the first word, we have
revered
Two syllables.
The first syllable “RE” has a short “U” sound. The second syllable, “VERED” sounds like the word “FEARED” but with a “V” instead. Revered.

Next up, we have
Elite
Two syllables
The first syllable, “E” has a short “U” sound. “LITE” sounds like the word “EAT” but with an “L” in front.

And our last one would be,
Wound
One syllable.
I chose this word because it actually has two pronunciations. “WOUND” refers to the past tense of “WIND”. “WOUND” refers to an injury. English, I know.
Ok, so pictured “WOUND” spelt as “WOONED” and perhaps that will help with the pronunciation.


Moving onto Vocabulary!

The first word is:
1. Revere
Definition
to very much respect and admire someone or something
Used in a sentence, you could say:
“The Pope is a figure that many people revere.”

Next word,
2. Elite
Definition
the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society
Used in a sentence, you could say:
“It looks like only the elite and wealthy are allowed into that party.”

And lastly,
3. Capacity
Definition:
the total amount that can be contained or produced, or (especially of a person or organization) the ability to do a particular thing
Used in a sentence, you could say:
“Sorry, we cannot allow you into this club because we’re already at capacity.”

For those that believe in astrology, I’m a Cancer and apparently, we’re very sensitive creatures. I sort of half believe these things but I mainly see it as entertainment. Do you guys believe in astrology? I try to see it as entertainment because I want to feel like I have control over my life. That’s actually how I started handling my extreme sensitivity. I took accountability for my life (accountability means being responsible for what you do) and I’m finally starting to see results. I try to see everything as my fault so at least I wouldn’t feel like others have power over me like a stupid comment here or there. It’s a work in progress but I really do find it helpful. Also, I noticed that when we let words hurt us too easily, it usually means we really care how others see us. Why are we living our lives trying to impress people who don’t even really care or think about us? Just something to think about.

Alright, hope you found this episode helpful! As always, you can find me on Instagram @hughtran_ to see what I’m up to (although it’s been kind of hectic lately so I haven’t been posting much). Thanks for listening and I’ll see everyone again in the next episode. Bye!

It isn't because we aren't wealthy or revered in elite circles that we thereby lose a capacity either to comfort or to wound strangers.

It isn't because we aren't wealthy or revered in elite circles that we thereby lose a apacity either to comfort or to wound strangers.

It isn't because we aren't wealthy or revered in elite circles that we thereby lose a capacity either to comfort or to wound strangers.