Our girl is quite the conversationalist. She already has a good grasp on the English language. But she’s also created her own dialect. She uses words properly but sometimes uses the wrong tense or form. Funny how we always figure out what she’s talking about!

I thought I’d explain a few phrases for you. First you’ll notice that Avery usually speaks about herself in the third person. I’m blaming this on that lovable yet annoying Elmo who has the same quirk. But apparently this is pretty common with kids her age, so she ought to grow out of it soon enough.

  • “Mommy, holder Avery.” Translation: Mommy, hold Avery. She also uses this when she wants to hold a doll or stuffed animal or when she wants us to hold one of her babies.
  • “Avery already did.” No translation needed. This most often is spoken in reference to the bathroom. We tell her to go to the bathroom, usually just before bedtime, and she informs us that she already did. Even if that means a few hours ago.
  • “Sue me.” Translation: Excuse me. We’re trying to teach the little girl some manners, so we beg her to say excuse me when she proudly performs a bodily function.
  • “Sit right there.” Translation: Do as I say and sit right there! When we play, color, watch TV or read and she doesn’t like where we’re sitting in relation to the activity at hand, she gives us an assigned seat and uses a stern finger to point out exactly where she wants us to sit. And of course, we willingly comply.
  • “Avery do that self.” Translation: Let me do it by myself! This most often is used in reference to getting dressed or any other task that we try to do for her.

Someday, I’ll get these phrases on video. Because you won’t believe what a talker she is!

Translating Avery