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CNN Live Event/Special

National Spelling Bee Finals Held in Washington, D.C.

Aired May 31, 2001 - 09:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Right, the final round of the National Spelling Bee is underway in Washington. Competition is strong, as always.

Let's listen in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Illth. I-L-T-H-E.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Illth is I-L-L-T-H.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mirabelle. Mirabelle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mirabelle. Could I have the definition, please?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The fruit of a small hardy European plum tree used especially for preserves and for making a liqueur.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What's the language of the origin?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: French.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could I have a sentence?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joey ate a stewed mirabelle as he helped his mother make jam.

KAGAN: Well, apparently we're not doing too well at the spelling bee. The kids are doing better with their words than we are trying to get that signal in.

Apparently, we have it back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's French?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Mirabelle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you say it one more time toward us?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mirabelle. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mirabelle. She got it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think so.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A little slower.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mirabelle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Mirabelle. M-Y-R-A-B-E-L-L-E.

Mirabelle is M-I-R-A-B-E-L-L-E.

(APPLAUSE)

KAGAN: As you can see, these are not easy words -- not your typical spelling bee that you might remember from your growing up from your grade school. These are the best spellers -- some of the best spellers in the country. Started out with 248 kids, and as of today, it was down to 87. We'll continue to monitor that and also bring you the winner when we have one. This one taking place in Washington, D.C.

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