Five Funny Examples of Why English is Weird
If you’ve ever tried to learn English—or even if you grew up speaking it—you’ve probably noticed something: English is weird. Really weird.
Think about it: why does read (present tense) rhyme with seed, but read (past tense) rhyme with red? Why do we pronounce cough, though, and through completely differently even though they share the same four letters? And why, exactly, is the plural of mouse → mice, but the plural of house is definitely houses?
English isn’t just quirky; it’s one of the hardest languages to learn to read. Even native speakers agree it doesn’t always make sense. But for new readers—whether they’re children just starting out, adults who’ve struggled for years, or ESL learners trying to master a second language—these quirks can feel overwhelming.
That’s exactly why we created the Nardagani Reading Program. Our mission is to remove the guesswork from reading by using simple visual cues that make decoding English easier and faster. And while English will always have its funny inconsistencies, Nardagani symbols help learners cut through the confusion so they can focus on what really matters: reading with confidence and understanding.
Before we dive into our five favorite “weird English” examples, let’s take a closer look at why English is such a challenge—and how Nardagani makes learning to read simpler.
Why Is English So Hard to Learn to Read?
There’s a good reason people call English one of the trickiest languages to learn. Unlike some languages (like Spanish or Italian), where letters almost always match their sounds, English is filled with irregularities.
Here are some of the biggest culprits:
Multiple sounds per letter. Fourteen out of the twenty-six English letters make more than one sound. For example, the letter “c” sounds different in cat versus ceiling.
Silent letters. Think of knight, honest, or island. These silent passengers confuse learners who expect every letter to be spoken.
Borrowed words. English has stolen generously from other languages—French, German, Latin, Greek, and more. Each word brings its own spelling quirks.
Complicated rules (with endless exceptions). Phonics programs teach dozens of rules, but just when you think you’ve got one down, an exception pops up.
Traditional reading programs rely on phonics drills, memorization, or sight-word practice. These can work for some learners but often leave students frustrated when words don’t follow the rules.
That’s why at Nardagani, we designed a system to simplify the process.
How the Nardagani Program Helps Students Learn to Read
The Nardagani Reading Program introduces twelve simple symbols that act like “training wheels” for reading.
The symbols appear below letters that make more than one sound.
Each symbol is a simple shape, dot, or line—easy to learn and remember.
Paired with catch phrases and games, students build recall quickly.
Here’s how it works in practice:
Students start by learning a few symbols at a time.
They practice decoding words using books coded with those symbols.
Exercises and games reinforce recognition and memory.
Within just eight hours of instruction, most students have learned all twelve symbols and are reading Nardagani-coded practice books.
As students grow more confident, the symbols fade away—just like taking training wheels off a bike.
The result? Learners can see the sounds in words, decode them correctly, and finally read with confidence.
Teachers and parents often describe this as a breakthrough moment. Instead of guessing or memorizing, students understand how English works. The anxiety melts away, and reading becomes something they actually enjoy.
Five Funny (and Frustrating) Examples of English Weirdness
To really appreciate how Nardagani symbols help, let’s explore five classic examples of why English is, well… kind of ridiculous.
1. Womb, Tomb, and Bomb
If womb is pronounced “woom” and tomb is also pronounced “toom,” then shouldn’t bomb be pronounced “boom”?
This inconsistency is enough to make any learner shake their head. Why do three words that look so similar sound completely different?
With Nardagani symbols, learners aren’t left guessing. The program cues students directly, so instead of memorizing each exception, they learn to read the word as it is written and sounded out.
2. Monosyllabic Isn’t Monosyllabic
Here’s an irony: the word monosyllabic—which literally means “one syllable”—actually has five syllables.
For learners, this is a great example of how English often says one thing but does another. It’s also a reminder that understanding English isn’t just about phonics but also about vocabulary and comprehension.
By giving students the tools to decode words accurately, Nardagani helps them move past the silliness and focus on building real comprehension.
3. Pineapple vs. Ananas
In English, we call this tropical fruit a pineapple. But in most of the world—Arabic, Armenian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Swedish, and Turkish—it’s called ananas.
Why the difference? English decided to be unique, combining “pine” and “apple” to describe the look of the fruit. For learners, this isn’t just confusing—it’s a great illustration of how English often invents its own rules.
With Nardagani, students don’t need to panic when they encounter unfamiliar words. The symbols help them sound out new vocabulary, giving them confidence even when English breaks away from the rest of the world.
4. “I’ve Not” vs. “I Haven’t”
English gives us two contractions—I’ve not and I haven’t—that mean the exact same thing. Both are grammatically correct, but one is more common depending on the region.
For learners, this is confusing because they expect every phrase to follow one clear rule. Instead, English often provides multiple “right” answers.
The Nardagani approach teaches learners that it’s okay to encounter variations. Once they can decode and read confidently, they’re better equipped to navigate these quirks.
5. Prepositions: In, On, and At
We say: in January, but on Wednesday, and at 12 o’clock. Why? There’s no simple rule. It’s just the way English evolved.
For learners, prepositions can be maddening because they don’t always match the logic of their native language. But once reading is automatic, students have the bandwidth to learn and internalize these patterns through practice.
Bonus: The “-ough” Problem
We couldn’t resist adding this one. The combination “-ough” appears in cough, though, through, rough, and bough. Each word has a different pronunciation.
This is the kind of irregularity that frustrates learners most. But again, with Nardagani, students get clear cues for each sound, removing the stress of guessing.
Real-Life Success Stories
The real proof of Nardagani’s power comes from the learners themselves.
Take Michael, an eighth grader reading at a third-grade level. When he first tried the program, he called himself “a dummy” who couldn’t read. Within fifteen minutes of using the symbols, he lit up:
“These symbols are cool! I’ve never seen anything like this!”
Within three months, he was reading confidently with his classmates.
Or Sophia, an ESL learner who used to stumble over words like enough. With Nardagani, she could see the sounds clearly and decode words without fear.
Stories like these remind us that even though English is weird, learning to read doesn’t have to be.
Conclusion: Laugh at the Weirdness, Learn With Confidence
English will always have its quirks. It’s a language full of contradictions, borrowed words, and rules that don’t always stick. But instead of letting those challenges hold learners back, we can laugh at the weirdness—and use tools like Nardagani to move forward with confidence.
The Nardagani Reading Program eliminates the guesswork by teaching twelve simple symbols that guide learners through English’s trickiest sounds. Within hours, students are sounding out words, building fluency, and experiencing the joy of reading.
Want to learn more?
Watch Narda Pitkethly’s TEDx Talk: A New Way to Learn to Read English
Take our Masterclass
Explore the Nardagani program and see how it can help you or your student finally learn to read with confidence
Start your journey today and see how Nardagani symbols can make learning to read easier, faster, and more enjoyable for learners of all ages.
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Click here to learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program, take our Masterclass, and watch Narda’s TEDx talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”
