Actions Speak Too

       I had trouble understanding Alphonso on one word.  Alphonso was helping put in our wood floors.  His English was fine, but he was telling us how he would keep dust from permeating other rooms:  plastic sheet from floor to ceiling with a [SIH-ped] down the middle.  His gesture was very clear; so after momentary puzzlement, I said, "zipper"?  Alphonso nodded.  The plastic could be zipped or unzipped so one could walk through.

       Looking up Spanish pronunciations online, I learn the "z" is pronounced [th] if you're from Spain and [s] if you're from South of the border.  The "r" except at beginning of words is pronounced more like English "d"; hence Alphonso's [SIH-ped]. 

       Gesture, on the other hand, pinned the meaning home!