|
Home / Others
Entre Nous
By:Brenda Townsend Hall
Non-native speaker to non-native speaker
In thinking about the ways English is evolving, we have to recognize that it is frequently a lingua franca between non-native speakers. This has strange implications for teaching. I have been told that it is not worth learning any standard form of pronunciation because “the people I talk to wouldn’t understand” and I’ve been asked to simplify verbs to eliminate tenses! Of course, as English has developed from a highly synthetic language to an analytical one, it is likely that further losses of inflected forms will occur. I’ve noticed that many speakers prefer not to use the –er ending for comparatives, preferring to add “more” instead: I’m more happy, more free, etc.
But although such changes occur naturally, it isn’t possible to construct a form of the language that suits non-native speakers. Quite apart from the issue of whether such an “international” variety of English is desirable, it would surely be impossible. The hallmarks of the English spoken by people with varying linguistic backgrounds are themselves very different, influenced by mother tongue interference. And as for pronunciation, well in reality native speakers have accents that vary enormously anyway, but some key elements need to be standardized for intelligibility. For example, it is important to distinguish between long and short vowel forms as these alter meaning. And it helps if the consonants or consonant clusters at the ends of words are distinct if listeners are to hear where the word boundaries are. To that extent, we are making concessions to the non-native speaker, because consonants at word boundaries are often elided or merged with the first sound of the next word when native speakers talk at normal speed.
I think we have to remind students that, if English is to be effective in an international setting, it has to have been learnt according to some agreed benchmarks. This is why we teach a standard form such as American or British English. This allows people to improve their language ability in a logical way. Of course, it’s helpful to teach coping strategies: ways of dealing with the gaps in knowledge. If a particular item of vocabulary is lacking then the non-native speaker needs to handle the situation so that communication doesn’t break down. They might use a circumlocution, a mime or even use a word form their own language if they think their interlocutor will understand. Similarly, if they have grammar problems, they can explain that they make errors but express the hope that they can be understood.
Using English internationally, is not, I believe about trying to simplify the language to make it more accessible but about helping users to become ever more proficient as they deepen their knowledge of the variety of English they are learning.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Teach English, Teaching English, Teaching English Overseas, ESL Jobs, ESL, TEFL, TESOL
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Brenda Townsend Hall, a contributing editor to ESLemployment, is a writer in the fields of English for business, cross-cultural awareness and business communications. Interested in receiving TEFL job listings weekly for free? To learn more visit TEFL Jobs.
|
|
| Top Others Articles |
- 1). Clay Pot Crafts: Make a Bell for the Porch By : Paul Duxbury
Clay pot crafts are a cute way to make home decorations. In clay pot crafts, clay flower pots can be crafted into a variety of decorative things that appeal to gardeners. Usually, the crafter begins with new pots.
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). Biotechnology And Immortality By : frank vanderlugt
In a very primitive way we are on the road to Immortality.
Within the nucleus of nearly every one of the 100 trillion cells that make up our body is a Computer Program of enormous complexity. This Computer Program is our DNA.
We can now for the first time in Man's history read the message this Computer Program produces.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 10). Treadmill Vs Elliptical By : Kathryn ONeill
Should you buy an elliptical trainer or a treadmill? Discover the unique benefits of both elliptical trainers and treadmills to help decide which one is best for you.
|
| New Others Articles |
- 1). Psychic Ability - Fraud Or Gift? By : Ciara McGrath
A psychic has some special powers that ordinary people don’t have. Some psychics are able to predict the future, others can communicate with the recently deceased. Some psychics are telepathic, others have the ability to exorcise ghosts.
The police use psychics to help solve crimes, preferably without the media getting to know! The newspapers would have a field day mocking the police investigator who had to resort to a “fortune teller”
Many people secretly believe that ...
|
- 2). Native Speakers? By : Brenda Townsend Hall
In a recent poll, I asked readers if they thought English language teachers should be native speakers. The result was interesting, as the vote from those with an opinion was close with 48% believing they should be native speakers and 41% saying no. I don’t know what you think about this but I’ve always had mixed feelings.
The first question I would raise with those who believe being a native speaker is an essential prerequisite for an English language teacher is, which nat...
|
- 3). Don't Hesitate To Cry A Tear By : Hallidae Thomason
Growing up, my siblings and I were never aloud to cry even just one tear. No matter how sad, mad or hurt we were, tears were never allowed. We were told that truly tough people didn't shed a tear no matter how bad life got. Tears, our parents said, were for wimps and people who weren't strong enough to handle life.
As I grew into my teenage years, I found it nearly impossible to make it through week after week without crying a single tear. Since I knew my parents would not...
|
- 4). I Heard About A Shark Attack By : Hallidae Thomason
Ever since my children were little, my husband and I have been taking them on beach vacations. So my kids have grown up with an honest love of the ocean. Even my youngest child loves to run by the side of the ocean and to wake up to the sound of the waves. My own childhood was filled with various beach vacations and cruises on the ocean. I have never given safety much of a thought on our family's beach vacations, but last year we heard a story about a shark attack that had ha...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
