Standard English

[Rich7]

There is something that has being bogging me for quite along time. I been learning English for about a year now, and this past month I've improved like never before due to this site, plus some time watching tv. (I usually watch animal planet, WC,CNN,and lately fox). I've been learning stuff from for example: a series called "cold cases" based in crimes commited in Philadelphia, a series called "friends" (New York) on WN,"the Autralian zoo" on animal planet and so on.
The issue here, is that, actually I can understand quite well most of what is said in these programs but my fear is that, I can eventually speak using words from different parts or accents in the world. so I'm not sure if I'm gonna sound right.
For this reason, should I just learn to speak only standard English? if so what is the standard English?.

Did I make myself clear? :?: :idea:

[Torsten]

Richard,

You've brought up an interesting topic by asking what exactly is standard spoken English? When people learn English abroad (in non-English speaking countries) they usually have to decide whether they want to go for British or US American pronunciation. Interestingly enough, only a tiny little fraction of the British population speaks RP (Received Pronunciation) which makes British English very diverse, flexible and fresh. There might be fewer variations in American spoken English but if you go to cities like New York or Los Angeles you will hear all kinds of accents.

Back to your question about standard English. I think there is no such thing as standard spoken English. It is true that the majority of native English speakers lives in North America and especially the USA dominate the world in many areas such as business, entertainment, technology, psychology etc. but that doesn't necessarily mean that US English is the standard pronunciation. What about native English speakers from Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, India etc.?
Their mother tongue is English so they speak 'standard English' don't they? Our world is becoming more and more international and the English language absorbs new vocabulary very quickly which makes it a universal communication tool.
You might want to read this article about the various forms of spoken English on CNN:
http://www.english-test.net/articles/9/index.html

TOEIC short conversations: Two co-workers discuss a memo on dress code

[Samrat]

Dear Torsten,

For your information, India is not a native English speeking country. Here , lot of languages are prevailing. Each and every state has it's own language. Ofcourse the various states are created based on the language. In India people give more respect to English as all the business transformations and communications are happening through that only. Unquestionably English is the lingua franca here among the scholars.

Thanks,
Samrat

[Torsten]

Hi Samrat,

Many thanks for your comments. Actually, I was referring to those people in India who use English as their first language. I think in the area of Bangalore you will find such people.

TOEIC short conversations: Discussing tardiness

[Rich7]

Extraordinary piece you wrote there, let me tell you torsten.
You've opened my mind wider in a way, It's good to mention that even though I understand most of these anchors you mention, I prefer american pronounciation or should I say (pronunciation). but my issue here is that, I want to be sure when speaking, that it's correct or that it sounds good, speaking with words used for instance in:Philadelphia,Atlanta,NY,LA. along with some idiomatic expressions used mostly within the due city. Am I making myself clear? gosh, It's so hard to convey.

I also want to take the oportunity to make something clear reagarding the topic you wrote.

Is it Ralitsa Vassileva or Realst Visalia? or are these two differrent people?
second: is it Argentina o Argentinia?
finally: what is clipped accent?

[Torsten]

[Rich7]

very interesting.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rosko1234]

Hey,
I want to join your discussion. I am a Bulgarian and as such have a knowledge of how ralitza vasileva is pronounced in Bulgarian. In Bulgarian it is Ralitza which is pronounced ra-li-tza where tz is a sound that does not really exist in the English language and r is a rolling r. Vasileva is va - si - le - va.
I am not sure if this would be useful but I guessed that if you are talking about a Bulgarian name you may need an expert opinion.

[Karina]

Hello all!
I`ve been learning English for 7 years now. During my studies I was taught ( or rather: I was acquainted with ) many English accents like: RP, posh, cockney, us english, new zealand english...
My tutors were from different countries so they spoke with various accents actually..so I had a a great opportunity to make myself familiar with their pronunciation.
There were a lot differences and as many similarities.
My point is: one should use only specific accent and make oneself perfect with using it. It is difficult but worth doing it actually.
:)

[Dovletka]

Hi,

Many years ago when I just began learning English I faced the same problem. I was very much concerned about 'right' pronounciation. And every time I communicated with a native English speaker I tried to copy his or her accent. As a result I acquired rather funny sounding accent. I think to deal with it one needs to know few things. First, what really matters is to make people understand you rather than pretend that you are a native speaker. However, for perfectionists like myself and those with good ear for accents it can be torterous to sound foreign. Then you really need to decide which particular regional accent you want to sound like and stick to it. At some point I sounded as if I were from the North of England with a touch of Scottish melody. Then I decided that I want to copy RP, or BBC English which serves as kind of a sample to me. As a result, people get the feeling that I am from England but cannot identify which parth thereof I am from :) It became even more apparent since I moved to the US, and namely Massachussetts, a part of so called New England. Here I sound really distinct from Americans and this has become my prominent feature. Perhaps as the time flies, I will acquire 'right American accent' which I find easier to develop. So it is all down to one's objective and effort and a bit of natural gift. Good luck!

[Alan]

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Hi Dovletka,

Thank you for your interesting comment. I think you've hit the nail right on the head when you say:

[Dovletka]

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Hi Alan,

Thanks for your comment. I am not sure how can I post a recording here. I am in the process of making an audio sample for an audition. I will be grateful if you could point out what sounded foreign to your ear.