Speech Impediments and Pengwings...OH MY!!

So, it's been spread all over the world...and the internet...that Benedict Cumberbatch can't say the word "penguins" properly. It's been circulated and talked about so much that the man has a complex about it. When you see his latest appearance on the Graham Norton Show, he's afraid of saying the word because he's worried he will screw it up.

Has it ever occurred to people in the fandom that maybe it's his accent that makes it sound like "Pengwings"? 

It's one thing to say that his eloquent pronunciation of words is endearing or even adorable...but to make fun of a professional for the way he says things is cruel. It also offends those who actually do have speech impediments and other developmental disabilities.

As an individual who went to an Elementary School who had a dedicated program to those with developmental disabilities, I understand and am sensitive to their struggles. A lot of the children are a joy to hang out with and I would willingly defend them if they ever needed it.

I also grew up with a father who mispronounced a couple of words...he used to say "frashlight" instead of flashlight and "gradge" instead of garage. English was his second language.

The point I'm trying to make here is that a lot of people in the fandom don't know what they are doing when they make fun of a character or an actor because of the way they talk or the way they pronounce words.

Nobody is born perfect. We all have our own personal challenges or flaws. Above all, none of us have a right to taunt those who have more challenges than we do in life.

How would you feel if you had a stutter like King George "Bertie" VI? Would you like it if people kept making fun of you because it was a challenge for you to make a speech?

Look at Bruce Willis...he grew up with a stutter in his speech as well. Same with Julia and Eric Roberts...and Nick Fury himself, Samuel L. Jackson.

Even other famous historical figures had issues with speech. Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, Aristotle and Isaac Newton all suffered from the same affliction.

All mentioned are highly respected individuals. Would anybody dare make fun of them?

If you think a mispronounced word is comical...then maybe you should look deeper into yourself and work on your own shortcomings and issues. You will save someone a lifetime of complexes and embarrassment.

One last caveat...all of those actors mentioned turned their stutter around and became accomplished people. Instead of focusing on others' shortcomings, you should look deeper into yourself and grow up a little.