Why accent differences can affect your productivity?
All languages are uniquely different from one
another. Languages possess different sounds, stressing
patterns and melodies. When you learn a new language
you must learn all of these special nuances a well as
the vocabulary and grammar. Many language schools
focus on the basics of "Learning English as a Second
Language". These schools teach the vocabulary and
grammar. In the world of fast-paced business
communication the specific nuances of English become
critical to your understanding of others and to
speaking with clarity.
Consider these differences between languages...
Can you easily and clearly hear and pronounce the
following words?
English has an /h/ consonant while other
languages do not. Therefore, native speakers of
Italian, French, German, Hindi, and other languages
have greater difficulty pronouncing /h/.
| air |
hair |
| it |
hit |
| art |
heart |
English has the /th/consonant. Native
speakers of
Arabic, Farsi, Cantonese, Japanese speakers and many other
languages experience difficulty pronouncing the /th/
consonant.
|
theme |
seem |
|
faith |
face |
|
thin |
tin |
|
through |
true |
|
forth |
fort |
Vowel differences between languages can be
difficult to hear and pronounce. Consider the
following words. The slight difference between the
vowels will dramatically change the meaning of the
words.
| Pete |
pit |
pet |
pat |
put |
pot |
| beat |
bit |
bet |
bat |
boat |
bite |
| peak |
pick |
peck |
pack |
puck |
pike |
Stressing patterns in many English words can
change the meaning of the word and it's part of
speech. Consider the difference in the following words
when the first or second syllable is stressed. Can you
hear and pronounce the differences?
| ob'ject |
object' |
| pro'duce |
produce' |
| pro'gress |
progress' |
English has many idioms, "play on
words" and expressions to learn...
Consider the following...
Do you recognize the different meaning of these
phrases?
| Bring up
|
| Speak up
|
| Raise a
question |
| Go into
|
| Kick around |
All of these phrases relate to
"discussing and interrupting" information.
What does it mean if...
He cracks her up?
He butters her up?
He sold her a bill of goods?
The next step...
Learn more about the Learn A New Accent Program.
Click here to Contact Us.
Take the next step...
Click here
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