Speaking English for 20 seconds a day?

[Naiverock]

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Hi, Alan,
Thank you for your comment. Surely, the population in China is really astonishing to most foreigners. It has caused a lot of problems, but I am proud of it. You'll see, we are top one in population.:-P
As you can learn from different media, China has changed a lot in many aspects, especially the quality of people's lives.
Though some problems are still existing and many jobs are remained to be done, we Chinese at least have developed a great sense of confidence and courage to face the upcoming challenges.
The World Expo 2010 being held in Shanghai will try to show what's the future of our cities. Its expo theme is Better City, Better Life. Many sustainable facilities, constructions and lots of other things will be in exhibition at that time. Till now, there are 242 countries deciding to participate in this grand party. Here I would like to say, welcome to World Expo 2010 and welcome to China.
Andy
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It will sure be a lot of fun here to make friends with you guys.

[Alan]

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Good morning,

Today I feel like being cantankerous and provocative. Well. why not - it's Saturday. So what's got up my nose, you may ask? I'll tell you. I see from remarks on the forum recently, an old chestnut (that's a sort of well worn topic) has raised its head. That's if chestnuts can do that! And I am referring to the constant bickering about American English and British English. Now, there is something rather sad about asking a question about which is better. It's like saying: Now, in terms of transport, which method do you prefer - car or car? When you have your breakfast, do you like to eat an egg or an egg? Clearly there are different types of car and different types of egg. But remember this: a car is a car and an egg is an egg. And there is only one language we're talking about and it's English. There, now I feel better. Perhaps my friend, Tom could join in here. Now, if he was speaking another language, I wouldn't understand what he was saying, would I? But I do and I enjoy the liveliness of his use of language.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Yuri Yurinov]

Hello everybody,

Please listen to my voice message. Iam not too good at speaking but I'll try to do my best.
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Everything is Anything.

Please NO Youtube on "My first steps in English" thread...

[Cgk]

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Hello Alan,

I just finished my breakfast, which was half a liter of coffee, and I reckoned I should give my two cents on the BE vs. AE subject. I hope I'm not being rude for interfering, since you specifically asked Tom to respond, but I remember the thread you are referring to, and I had posted a comment there as well, so please forgive my intrusion. :)

I believe the reason why especially English learners distinguish between BE and AE is that they are more sensitive to the differences, however subtle, between the two "versions". To me, and I think I speak for a lot of English-as-a-second-language speakers here, it is more difficult to understand BE, since I learned most of my English in America (of course, it may be vice versa for others). My English, despite its thick German accent, is "Americanized". I really notice it whenever I hear British expressions and idioms. I often get stumped then, because I don't understand their meaning. Also, words are pronounced differently in different areas, and English learners get stumped then, too. It's like when someone learns German and then moves to the boondocks I live in. He will then truly believe that the people here speak a different language, because he won't understand a single word. But the people here do speak German, and that's what I'm getting at. There is the official German, and then there are dialects. German German and Swiss German, for example, are both the same language, but the Swiss speak German very differently than Germans do.

And that is the mistake that most people make: BE and AE are the same language, but they are different dialects. It's speakers pronounce their words differently and they use different idioms, depending on the area they live in. While native speakers adapt to different dialects within their language more easily, learners have a harder time understanding the various versions. And this might be the reason why they often erroneously view them, or make it sound as if they were different languages.

There is no dialect better than another and there is no language better than another, and when someone meets a dialect or language with prejudice, it's really sad.

I see, I need to get off my coffee high! I'm now clearing the stage for Tom.

Take care ya all!

Claudia
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In the land of the ignorant, the biggest fool is king.

[ElvisFannetjeh]

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Hi,

I totally agree with your remark and I understand and respect your opinion as I feel the same way about it.
I study to become an English teacher in Belgium and my school obliged me actually to have a British accent when I am in front of the class. My biggest remark which, I'm afraid can cost my diploma (in Januari 2010) is that my pronunciation should be much more British. I don't care about the differences between American and British English like you said, but my diploma is a bit more important than that. I would like to sound British as much as possible to please my own teacher.
I hope you understand that.
What do you think about my pronunciation anyway? I can use some feedback from a native speaker.

[Alan]

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Hi Claudia,

Oh I say -

[Alan]

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Hi Elvis,

To form an opinion of your accent, we first have to hear you. I'm afraid the recording hasn't come through.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Naiverock]

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When you wake up in the morning, it's funny that I will tell you 'hi, good evening'.
I totally agree with your opinions about dialects and languages.
May I ask a question? What do you mean by 'get off my coffee high', Claudia?
Andy
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It will sure be a lot of fun here to make friends with you guys.

[ElvisFannetjeh]

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Ok that was the third time I tried. And you know what they say: third time is a charm.

[Alan]

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Hi Elvis,

It seems strange calling you that - it would be better if I knew your real name but never mind - hello. Your accent sounds fine to me . You speak clearly and articulate well. Incidentally for the record the expression is 'third time lucky'. Good luck with your studies.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[ElvisFannetjeh]

Hi,

Thank you, Allan, for your feedback. I hope my teacher feels the same way about it. She mostly says that I have to have more aspiration (p t k) and that my r is really Flemish. I also make a lot of grammatical mistakes, but that's just something I have to work on myself.
By the way, my real name is Lien. I'm quite used to the fact that people call me Elvis on a forum as my nickname is Elvisfannetjeh. But you can call me Lien if you prefer that.

[Kitosdad]

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So, now you have to speak like an English person to obtain your diploma, WHAT RUBBISH!

Tell your teacher that you have spoken to a lot of English people, and that they have all understood you perfectly well.

It is unbelievable that these morons have such a control over your future success.

Kitos.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[ElvisFannetjeh]

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Well, it's actually because I have to teach my pupils British English that my English should be perfectly (or almost perfectly) British.
It's a bit awkward if you have a pupil in your class who has a better British accent than you do.

[Yuri Yurinov]

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[Lehuong2806]

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hello new day!
to day i have a important test! and i hope i can do it well!