American English pronunciation!

As an ESL teacher in a developing country, I have asked my students whose English pronunciation is the easiest to understand, as we have teachers from Australia, a New Zealander, an Anglo-Indian, Brits and quite a few young Americans. My students tell me most are easy to understand, especially in the higher levels but most are aware of the differences. Not only in pronunciation, but also in spelling. One teacher they find very easy to understand is the Anglo-Indian, whose first language is English (Hindi second). His pronunciation of English is absolutely beautiful, a joy to listen to.

There was a time I used to correct my students when they used American pronunciation and spelling. I changed my stance after attending a workshop on Global English. Now, I just make students aware of the nuances within the English language. Today, it's almost impossible to throw a blanket over the entire English language and call it just "English".

What is slowly creeping into the classroom is what I call "street slang". Words like gonna, wanna etc. These I knock on the head straight away. I believe there is no room for this language in the ESL classroom. One day these words may become acceptable.

Another confusing factor is some verbs being both regular and irregular, verbs like spell (spelt or spelled), burn (burnt or burned), learn (learnt or learned), dream (dreamt or dreamed). There are quite a few. I tell students to use what they deem easiest, but most admit dreamt, burnt, spelt etc are far easier to pronounce.

One has to remember, English is not a stagnant language. It's growing at a rapid rate especially as new technical, scientific and medical words find their way into the English language. The Lao word for computer is computer. There is also a Lao word for mobile phone, but no one uses it. It's just "mobile".

Last year, I gave a couple of lessons to Lao students preparing for immobilisation to Australia on AusAid scholarships. The theme was Australian slang. The students were absolutely fascinated, and most couldn't make heads or tales out of Australian slang. Australian slang is so different from anything that they'd heard before. Great fun.



Having said this, one American pronunciation which really sticks in my craw is the American pronunciation of Nikon. Sorry guys, it is pronounced Nikon, not Neikon. I have a Japanese mate in Australia who has a Nikon camera ( a few actually) and he pronounces Nikon as Nikon. I have asked him about this, Japanese just say Nikon and not Neikon.

 

coup de gras or coup de grace is pronounced coo d gras..not grass like the crap kids smoke

 

You could debate this. There are more speakers of "British" English than America English when you consider Commonwealth Nations (and ex Commonwealth nations) are users of "British" English. Something like 25% of the world's population.I have asked my learned Anglo-Indian colleague and friend, Indians for example use British English.

Some of the nicest English spoken I have heard is in Hong Kong, speakers of "British" English.

 

Interestingly, for me, when viewing cinema/television, I better understand Australians than Brits. I sometime have difficulty understanding some Americans, especially when speaking really fast.

I'm just weird I guess. lol

 

I find British pronunciation more straight forward than American Even though I spent way more time around Americans. Oh spelling I think its sort of 50/50. The example you used the British way is better, but in some cases I think the American spelling is more intuitive. Then again I learned English through British tv shows and books before I learned the American variant. I think the evolution of language is very interesting, if I could go to school again I'd definitely try to get a degree in linguistics or at least take a few classes on(in?) it.

 

This is actually one of the few forms of culture we have left.

Most people that don't speak properly choose to do so.

If you read my posts, and then heard me talk, you would be shocked by the disparity!

 

I also find linguistics fascinating.

 

Just a thought.

I read some time ago (I wish I could find the source again) that American English developed along different lines since the 17th century, because of the New World's isolation. In Britain, during the Industrial Revolution, there was a rapid development of English which didn't happen as rapidly in America,, remembering the Industrial revolution began in England around 1750-1760, and didn't spread to Western Europe or America until two or three decades later. New inventions/technology = new vocabulary.

Interestingly, this "new" English appeared to spread to British Empire outposts like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Indian Subcontinent etc, but bypassed the Americas to a point that America developed its own vocabulary.

 

Gawlee yu shure ar smart. We caint say anatin rite. Wure dum huh?

 

In my travels in the USA I have found those from the Deep South the most difficult to understand.. But then I have also found some people in parts of the UK also difficult to understand. But not everyone speakst the 'Queen's' English,do they?

Whilst I was visiting the Grand Canyon, many years ago, I struck up a conversation with a young lady from 'Upper' NY (from my distant memory), and she spoke 'perfect' English.

 

Nope. The UK is a patchwork of different languages and dialects, and some of the dialects (Geordie, for example) retain so much material from previously spoken versions of languages that they are almost still separate languages of their own. 'Correct' English is really only one particular form of English, based around one particular area's natural dialect - it's never been the way the spoken language actually excists across England itself, let alone the whole UK.

 

Don't knock the Geordies, they're fine people. Actually their accent is the closest thing to Old and Middle English that is still existing in England. Yes it's difficult to understand for a non-Geordie but they know that and they'll help you out - bit like the French actually.

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Phashion.

 

Possibly with a smattering of Old Norse mixed in!

 

That'd account for the battle axes at the ground when the Toons are playing at home!

 

Since the use of 'correct English' has been taken over by various dialects (some time ago)on UK TV I have found it increasingly difficult to follow some of the shows that I enjoy watching. I particularly enjoy the beautiful use of the English language by John Thaw in 'Morse'.Whilst I still enjoy those detective series emanating from North of the Border I need a certain degree of additional concentration to follow the dialogue eg Taggart (especially the original Taggart).

Fortunately, the language in New TrIcks is still easily comprehensible.

 

Actually, since "Coup de grace" is a french expression, you are both wrong!

It should be pronounced " Coup de GRAAAAS"

And. . .it is not "Deja VOO," It is "deja VU" with a crisp, short U

But then again, my French accent in English is so thick, that I can't complain about others!

The only frustrating part is that no one hesitate to correct my accent in English, but they refuse to take a hint when I try to indicate how to pronounce French expressions!

 

A Scottish lady used to work for me many years ago, and inspite of the fact that she had lived in OZ for over thirty years I always had great difficulty, right up until the day she left, in understanding her. Her Scottish husband came to her farewell party and I was surprised that he spoke 'perfect' English.Evidently he came from a different past of Scotland, from the South (from my distant memory).

I nearly got into deep water one day when I referred to her as English. I was lucky I wasn't beheaded (verbally), of course)!

 

Actually I don't mind being corrected. French words have been a trial for me.

 

That's a good attitude!

 

Well...I read a french origin word---and my brain interpets the best it can---but then I embarrass myself when it comes to speaking it. I'd rather not be embarrassed.

 

Then you know exactly how I've been feeling for 41 years! What is strange is that it is the words that also exist in French that are the most difficult for me to pronounce correctly in English. The REAL English words give me less trouble.

Maybe it is because I am resistant to USING English accent when speaking French words!

But keep on speaking French. . .it is so much better to make a small mistake (which French people will find "charming" and endearing!) than to refuse to speak French at all!

 

You just say those French words how they are supposed to be said---you should know. And I will simply do the best I can.

 

I have a Scottish mate of Irish ancestry,, a Glaswegian. He is difficult to understand the best of times. After a couple of beers he may well be speaking Martian.

 

Yeah and they can't spell 'color'...They spell it 'colour'

 

Mate,,,, you are a genius