hello everybody,
can anyone give me some idea about the importance of canadian accent while communicating in english? what i am trying to say is that is it absolutely necessary to change ones accent even if that person can communicate very clearly in Indian English?
thanking in advance
indianman
No need at all. U will pick up as u go along. But be very clear in what u say. Speak slowly, diction must be clear.
DIO
In canada you will find 6 out of 10 people carrying their native accent. Even well placed professionals carry their native accent be it from England, eastern Europe or even the southern drawl of Texas,....everyone has a differnt accent but same pronunciation . Correct pronunciation is important.
Accent is something which comes over an extended period of time and after certain age it is very difficult if not impossible to change accent . Kids pickup fast but those over 25 will have to make an effort to change their accent . In my opinion accent should not be changed, only pronunciation should be corrected .
If pronunciation is correct , you will be very easily understood , no matter what your accent is.
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Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 29-08-05 13:08:20
Quote:
Orginally posted by desi in ottawa
No need at all. U will pick up as u go along. But be very clear in what u say. Speak slowly, diction must be clear.
DIO
writing U instead of you. I hope that is clear and slow enough.
BV
If you think in your native language and literally translate it, then people here do not understand it. More than the accent, you have to use sentence and idea formation like people here. As everyone says, speak slowly. More important, if you are talking with someone, allow them to finish. It is not ok to interrupt.It is not difficult at all.
Back home, for example you want to ask something to a sales person in a shop,you just ask your question. But here, if the sales person is attending to somebody else, wait for your turn. Ask,"Can I ask you something?' You may get a reply as "Sure". This way you get their attention. Then say some thing as "I want to know about...., or Can you tell me...depending upon what you want to know.
Willingness to learn and being confident help a lot.
PS: Only problem is when you go to India after a few years, your accent and way of talking would have changed a lot, and your relatives may say that you have become a typical NRI with a fake accent.
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HOPE
If you know english well in India, the only thing you will need to do is enunciate.
We Indians have a tendency to drop the endings of the words we use, this is something that is not done in Canada.
Also talk slowly and do not use big words, not all Canadians have the benefit of a University/College education.
