This is kind of a pointless poll other than to satisfy my curiosity, but which spelling do you use and why? I'm kind of wondering if the "momma" spelling is more of a southern thing.
February Siggy Challenge: Favorite TV couple ~ Jim & Pam
I think they are clearly pronounced differently, but still both phonetic. Mama repeats itself. Momma is mom+ma; two different sounds strung together. I pick mama because children often use repetitive sounds.
Random: a friend's kid called me girl-girl for a while before he learned my real name.
Wow. Beautifully put!
Annnnd hilarious that you were called girl girl, how cute!
Not sure if it matters but I'm Canadian and I would use Momma. Mama seems very babyish to me and would represent the babling sounds that babies make. Dadadada and mamamama would be the sounds that babies make naturally (along with bababababa and others) that we like to think of as first words when really they are just repeating sounds and then later figure out they can represent mom and dad once they get certain reactions out of adults by making those sounds.
Hmm.. This is all very interesting! I'm glad I posed this question! I guess my southern theory is out the window. lol I use "momma" because 1) that's how I was taught to spell it, and 2) because "mama" seems more of a Hispanic or Italian term.
February Siggy Challenge: Favorite TV couple ~ Jim & Pam
I use mama but momma wins phonetically to me (sort of) Typically in CVCV words the first vowel is long, but CVCCV words the syllables spilt between the consonants CVC-CV mom-ma the final a should have the long sound but in this case follows the schwa rule. Ohhhhh phonics.
If I heard it pronounced, I'd spell it mama in my mind (surprise, surprise)
That said, I am "mommy" to kiddo. Mama seems like a babyish term and I really only call myself by that name during the early infant months and/or when kiddo is sick or hurt (i.e. "Awww, come to mama, I'm sorry you're hurt!")
Mama seems like a babyish term and I really only call myself by that name during the early infant months and/or when kiddo is sick or hurt (i.e. "Awww, come to mama, I'm sorry you're hurt!")
So funny - I feel the opposite. "Mommy" is the babiest of the bunch!
I had no idea there was so much variation in this. Kind of fascinating.
I use mama but momma wins phonetically to me (sort of) Typically in CVCV words the first vowel is long, but CVCCV words the syllables spilt between the consonants CVC-CV mom-ma the final a should have the long sound but in this case follows the schwa rule. Ohhhhh phonics.
As someone else who regularly teaches these phonics rules, this totally cracked me up!!
Re: Mama vs. Momma
Annnnd hilarious that you were called girl girl, how cute!
That said, I am "mommy" to kiddo. Mama seems like a babyish term and I really only call myself by that name during the early infant months and/or when kiddo is sick or hurt (i.e. "Awww, come to mama, I'm sorry you're hurt!")
Never heard anyone using momma before but I live in New England.
I had no idea there was so much variation in this. Kind of fascinating.