Malapropism

Tavish has a great vocabulary and clarity of speech for his age. So, when there are the odd words that are misplaced or poorly pronounced, we remember that these things tend to correct themselves quickly and choose to enjoy them rather than addressing them. These moments create sweet internal joy for his parents, so who are were to interfere with these little reminders that he's a toddler learning and making sense of the world around him?

MOMENT: Anyfing, Anybody

You know that eerie moment when you realize that your toddler is out of your sight and that it's been too quiet for too long? Yeah, those moments offer an excellent example of Tavish's malapropism (the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended by wrong in the context) that goes something like this:

Us: "Tavish, what are you doing?"

Tavish: "Anyfing" 

This is not a comforting answer, by the way - it's usually untrue that he is doing 'nothing'! It's also entertaining when you inquire about something he did with other people. It usually goes something like this:

Us: "Who did you have your nap beside today?"

Tavish: "Anybody"

One last word development that we have enjoyed but has already corrected itself is "computer". It used to be that we would help him through it by syllable. Tavish would start repeating clearly but provide an entertaining finale:

Us: "com", "com-pu", "com-pu-ter"

Tavish: "com", "com-pu", "com-pu-ter"

Us: "computer"

Tavish: "computeter"

Lately "com-pu-te-ter" has been replaced with "pa-new-ter": "Mommy, let's talk on the pa-new-ter when you're in Toronto." Love it. 

But, alas - all these endearing vocabulary foibles eventually pass. He said to me the other night: "Mommy, I like talking with you on the computer when you're in Toronto." Sigh. The sentiment of the sentence is still sweet, but the word clarity serves as a reminder that everything is a phase that inevitably passes. 

One thing is for sure though, there is "anyfing" (nothing) and "anybody" (nobody) who can say that moments like these aren't worth preserving on the "panewter"!