Light Years Ahead

Years ago I earned and acquired the alias or nickname ‘Light Years Ahead’. For those who read my introduction, you probably know that I love to read books. For those who didn’t read my introduction, well… now you know….. (Read it here).

I’ve been reading books since I was five and have been growing and cultivating my vocabulary ever since. So, my familiarity with words is immense, but I have a small problem. I read these words in a book. However, it’s a problem because I often lack the experience of hearing and pronouncing many of these words in my extensive vocabulary. For example: I was speaking to my father about a mystery book when I mention the word; alias. But I pronounced it ˈeɪliəs’( as in atom) when it is supposed to be pronounced ˈæliəs’( as in alien). My father, hearing me say the word, asked me to repeat myself. Once I did, he asked me to spell the word. After I complied, he gave me a funny look and told me that I was pronouncing it incorrectly.

Most of the people that I meet gloss over or don’t notice that kind of mistake. Or they subconsciously correct it without saying anything. In this case, I never realize my error. But, as it began to happen more and more frequently, my father finally announced that I shall be nicknamed ‘Light Years Ahead’, for, “Your vocabulary is so far ahead of your pronunciation that you are light years ahead.”

And so that is how I came to be nicknamed Light Years Ahead.

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