Why you Should Pronounce the 'L' in Salmon: Linguistic Discrimination & Hot Honey Glaze

— A look at the power of linguistic hierarchy and a quick salmon marinade recipe

(jump to recipe below, after essay)

Do you pronounce the hard ‘L’ in salmon? Does your dad? Your grandma? Maybe a timid colleague? Maybe the L is pronounced in the language you speak other than English. I used to shudder in embarrassment every time my mom said salmon. Usually, during the rare occasion of going out to dinner at a restaurant. At a big booth, we’d sit. Energized and shy, a family of 4 daughters and one mother. The waiter would go around the table, taking each of our orders, pointing to us with their pen. Then it would be her time to order and (knowing in advance what she decided on) I’d clench my jaw and shoulders as I watched all corners of her mouth open to speak:

“I’ll have the salllme—”

“Ma,” interrupting her mid-sentence, “‘—it’s pronounced sæ-mən.’”

“‘Oh, excuse me. I’ll have the sæ-mən, please,’” she asked politely.

Once the waiter shuffled away from our table, all of us sisters would obnoxiously perform a mix of uncontrollable laughter and embarrassment at her mispron…