Taupe? Torp?

The following is one of my favorite stories from the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee.  It is not only super funny, but it also has a great message, especially for us working with students who will be learning at times in a language that is not their first language. 

RYAN MCLELLAN from New Zealand participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  This is what happens when you`re asked to spell taupe. 

JUDGE: This word has a homonym. Taupe. Taupe is a light brownish- gray.

RYAN MCLELLAN: Is it French?

JUDGE: It`s from French, which formed it from a Latin word.

 MCLELLAN: Torp?

JUDGE: No, no, taupe.

MCLELLAN: Torp?

 JUDGE: Taupe.

 MCLELLAN: Tarp?

 OTHER JUDGE: That`s his pronunciation.

 MCLELLAN: T-A-U-P-E. Taupe.

(APPLAUSE)

That`s his pronunciation. The judge there is trying to save this kid from a potentially fatal error. It`s not torp. It`s taupe.

He knows it`s taupe. He`s just from New Zealand. He knows what the word is.

This 13-year-old kid`s P-E-R-S-E-V-E-R-A-N-C-E in the face of people who would judge you, who don`t understand you, is obviously the best new thing in the world today.