Embracing Your Accent In English: How It Shapes Your Communication - With Anne Maki
09/12/23 • 50 min
Is it OK to speak English with an accent? Is having an accent a good thing or does it limit my communication in English? But what exactly is an accent, and why does it matter? To explore everything related to having an accent when speaking English as a foreign language, we’ve invited Anne Maki, an expert in a topic that often concerns English learners: accents. Anne has a background in speech language pathology and sheds light on the significance of a clear and comprehensible accent. We will discuss what an accent is, how an accent can benefit you and affect you, and how native Spanish speakers can improve their accent when speaking in English. Stay tuned as we explore the challenges faced by Spanish speakers when speaking English, with a focus on common accented Spanish sounds and how word length and consonants influence pronunciation in both languages. Plus, we'll dive into the intricacies of vowel pronunciation and much more. It's a conversation you won't want to miss!
· What is an accent and why is it important? 1:55
· Maki explains his background in speech language pathology. 3:10
· The importance of a clearly understood accent. 4:40
· If someone begins avoiding you, they are not disliking you. 6:25
· There are some accents that are hard to understand for native speakers. 8:35
· Difficulties of accented Spanish speakers speaking English. 10:30
· Examples of common accented Spanish sounds. 13:00
· Pronunciation of vowels. 17:05
· We get ourselves into some sticky situations in Spanish. 19:30
· Pronouncing Cop, Cup, Bald Cap, and Body Buddy. 22:25
· What is a standard American accent? 25:15
· The core of what makes us human is being able to understand messages. 27:15
· Any movie is a pretty good sampling of the neutral accent. 28:55
· The importance of casual English, reducing words, simplifying words. 31:15
· Fluency and accuracy of speech. 32:55
· Prioritizing Pronunciation Precision in Speaking. 34:55
· The proof is in the actor, and the proof is always in the voice. 37:30
· What is an accent reduction class? 39:50
· Benefits of speaking with ease and confidence. 42:40
· How to get feedback on pronunciation. 44:05
Resources:
Want to continue improving your professional English skills ? Join our Conversation Club for Professionals, where you'll practice work English, business English, and English for professional development with other professionals.
Contacts us now:
🌐 Text us: WhatsApp
✉️ Contact us: Website Contact Form
📧 Email: info [at] fluentenglishpro.com
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your language proficiency and networking skills. Join the conversation today!
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https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/
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Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460
Is it OK to speak English with an accent? Is having an accent a good thing or does it limit my communication in English? But what exactly is an accent, and why does it matter? To explore everything related to having an accent when speaking English as a foreign language, we’ve invited Anne Maki, an expert in a topic that often concerns English learners: accents. Anne has a background in speech language pathology and sheds light on the significance of a clear and comprehensible accent. We will discuss what an accent is, how an accent can benefit you and affect you, and how native Spanish speakers can improve their accent when speaking in English. Stay tuned as we explore the challenges faced by Spanish speakers when speaking English, with a focus on common accented Spanish sounds and how word length and consonants influence pronunciation in both languages. Plus, we'll dive into the intricacies of vowel pronunciation and much more. It's a conversation you won't want to miss!
· What is an accent and why is it important? 1:55
· Maki explains his background in speech language pathology. 3:10
· The importance of a clearly understood accent. 4:40
· If someone begins avoiding you, they are not disliking you. 6:25
· There are some accents that are hard to understand for native speakers. 8:35
· Difficulties of accented Spanish speakers speaking English. 10:30
· Examples of common accented Spanish sounds. 13:00
· Pronunciation of vowels. 17:05
· We get ourselves into some sticky situations in Spanish. 19:30
· Pronouncing Cop, Cup, Bald Cap, and Body Buddy. 22:25
· What is a standard American accent? 25:15
· The core of what makes us human is being able to understand messages. 27:15
· Any movie is a pretty good sampling of the neutral accent. 28:55
· The importance of casual English, reducing words, simplifying words. 31:15
· Fluency and accuracy of speech. 32:55
· Prioritizing Pronunciation Precision in Speaking. 34:55
· The proof is in the actor, and the proof is always in the voice. 37:30
· What is an accent reduction class? 39:50
· Benefits of speaking with ease and confidence. 42:40
· How to get feedback on pronunciation. 44:05
Resources:
Want to continue improving your professional English skills ? Join our Conversation Club for Professionals, where you'll practice work English, business English, and English for professional development with other professionals.
Contacts us now:
🌐 Text us: WhatsApp
✉️ Contact us: Website Contact Form
📧 Email: info [at] fluentenglishpro.com
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your language proficiency and networking skills. Join the conversation today!
Instagram: @fluentenglish.pro
https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@fluentenglishpro
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/2YQdd1hmEHDp9yGV/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4svKh6w8nUtdFwV9CzVG6h
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460
Previous Episode
How To Use English To Discuss Current Events And News
Ever wondered what to be aware of when discussing current events? Or perhaps you've struggled with expressing your thoughts without knowing specific jargon? Well, fear not! We're diving into the art of spontaneous conversations and sharing tips on how to enrich your language skills. Plus, we'll be exploring tips and strategies to improve your capacity to talk about news, recent events, and hot topics that are part of everyday conversations and that you see on TV and social media.
- What to be aware of when talking about current events? 1:20
- There are always ways for you to express what you want to say with even words, even if you don't know a particular term. 3:10
- The skill of spontaneous conversations. 5:20
- How to learn more about the language? 7:00
- Example of a hot topic: exploring Affirmative Action in US University Admissions. 8:50
- How to read the news? 10:45
Resources:
Want to continue improving your professional English skills ? Join our Conversation Club for Professionals, where you'll practice work English, business English, and English for professional development with other professionals.
Contacts us now:
🌐 Text us: WhatsApp
✉️ Contact us: Website Contact Form
📧 Email: info [at] fluentenglishpro.com
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your language proficiency and networking skills. Join the conversation today!
Instagram: @fluentenglish.pro
https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@fluentenglishpro
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/2YQdd1hmEHDp9yGV/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4svKh6w8nUtdFwV9CzVG6h
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460
Next Episode
Is translating good for learning English vocabulary? Probably not, and this is why
Have you ever wondered why teachers don’t recommend using translation for learning English? Are there words or expressions that we can’t accurately?
In this episode, we delved into the intricacies of language translation and its limitations for learning English as a foreign language. While some of the words might be translated literally, the cultural nuances, emotions, and historical contexts they carry often remain elusive in translation. We explore examples like "estrenar" in Spanish, a word that signifies wearing something for the first time, along with the concept of "el sereno," which embodies a chilly night breeze in Colombia. These examples highlight the challenge of capturing the cultural layers of meaning in different languages. Moreover, we discuss the struggle to translate terms like "homesick" or sensitive expressions that carry racial implications, showcasing the difficulties faced by translators.
We discovered that translation can be a double-edged sword. While it can help convey basic meanings between languages, it often falls short when attempting to transmit the deep-rooted emotions and cultural connotations attached to certain words and expressions. The episode highlighted the gap between the literal translation and the underlying cultural and emotional dimensions.
The key lesson here is that language is more than words—it's about cultural context, history, and emotions. Relying solely on translation tools can hinder true understanding and effective communication. A balanced approach, including learning in context and appreciating the unique facets of a language, is essential for genuine language proficiency.
Key Takeaways:
Translation struggles to capture cultural nuances and emotional depth.
Certain words and expressions have no direct equivalents in other languages.
Language learning is more than just vocabulary—it's about embracing the cultural essence.
- Avoid direct translations from english to spanish. 0:06
- Words and expressions that cannot be translated into English. 3:50
- One word in spanish for example can have multiple translations into English.5:15
- Will we ever be able to tell a human translation from a computer generated :translation? 7:10
- Examples of things that can and cannot be translated from Spanish to English. 9:15
- A cultural thing, too. 11:30
- The use of words like spoiler in Spanish. 13:10
- Translating words in spanish. 15:30
- Bridging Vocabulary Gaps, but Context is Key for Non-Verbal Communication. 18:20
Resources:
Want to continue improving your professional English skills ? Join our Conversation Club for Professionals, where you'll practice work English, business English, and English for professional development with other professionals.
Contacts us now:
🌐 Text us: WhatsApp
✉️ Contact us: Website Contact Form
📧 Email: info [at] fluentenglishpro.com
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your language proficiency and networking skills. Join the conversation today!
Instagram: @fluentenglish.pro
https://www.instagram.com/fluentenglish.pro/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@fluentenglishpro
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/2YQdd1hmEHDp9yGV/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4svKh6w8nUtdFwV9CzVG6h
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fluent-english-pro/id1706003460
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