English Accent Improvement
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Hi,
I am looking for some suggestions on improving/changing one's English accent. For business purposes, I need to have a North American accent. If you could suggest some books/courses/ practices, I would appreciate it.
BTW, I have read Socratic Wisdom's tips on improving English accent in this forum.
Thanks,
MG.
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musicgold
Senior Desi
Member since: Jul 07
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Posts: 112
Location:
 06-04-08 21:03:42
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Desi # 1
Senior Desi
Member since: Dec 03
Posts: 1420
Location: Mississauga
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Accent is not that important. Fluency is more important.
Join Toastmaster for practice. Cheap and best way to practice.
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07-04-08 08:37:50 |
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HelloG
Senior Desi
Member since: Jan 08
Posts: 338
Location: vasudhev kutumbkam
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OOPS repetition!
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Last edited by: HelloG on 07-04-08 14:44:23 |
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07-04-08 13:20:28 |
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HelloG
Senior Desi
Member since: Jan 08
Posts: 338
Location: vasudhev kutumbkam
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Iagree with Desi#1 .
As long as you speak clearly and people understand you, accent doesn't become an issue. In fact many Call centres in India and all over the world have started using 'Neutral' accent and have stopped conducting special trainng sessions for "American" accent.
As i see it, those who point out accent in others of all the things, may not have anything else at their own disposal to boast of!
If it is really necessary for your business then you can use the Toastmasters .
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Last edited by: HelloG on 07-04-08 14:39:58 |
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07-04-08 13:20:28 |
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jonav
Senior Desi
Member since: Apr 07
Posts: 458
Location:
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For my kids B'day party I meet a restaurant owner and the conversation is on and in between I ask-
I -"Are you a British?"
He- "Yes, but how do you know?
I- "Your accent"
He- "I'm trying to get rid of it for the past 21 yrs still you detected it"
I didn't tell him that it was so obvious  )
Don't bother for accent, I've noticed foreigners appreciating our grammar, our spell commands, our fluency in (No slang) English. Indians are sometimes intimidated with the color white people, don't be, stay confident and communicate confidently.
Jona
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07-04-08 14:36:49 |
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BlueLobster
Admin :Moderator:
Member since: Oct 02
Posts: 3409
Location: Mississauga
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I agree that you shouldn't put a lot of effort into "changing" your accent, rather focus on your grammar and vocabulary. These are key because because words/phrases used commonly in Asia may be considered as foreign/outdated here at times.
At the same time, an adjustment in accent is called for if you find a lot of people asking you to repeat things because they didn't understand you the first time. Some people from do have VERY strong accents and no matter how good their grammar is, it is not conducive to a fluent conversation which is necessary for meetings/business.
My two cents.
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07-04-08 17:52:18 |
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chandresh
Senior Desi
Member since: Mar 03
Posts: 2597
Location: Toronto
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Quote:
Originally posted by musicgold
Hi,
I am looking for some suggestions on improving/changing one's English accent. For business purposes, I need to have a North American accent. If you could suggest some books/courses/ practices, I would appreciate it.
BTW, I have read Socratic Wisdom's tips on improving English accent in this forum.
Thanks,
MG.
It is funny to see that we in India always spoke of "American accent" and how great it is when you can speak with that peculian accent.
However, when you come to North America, you come to know that accent actally means that you are not speaking English in the manner that Americans speak - which means you do have an accent. So, to have an accent is actually not desireable - and Americans do not have an accent - they simply speak English the way they do.
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
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08-04-08 00:01:21 |
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jake3d
Senior Desi
Member since: Sep 03
Posts: 2962
Location: Montreal
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Quote:
It is funny to see that we in India always spoke of "American accent" and how great it is when you can speak with that peculian accent.
However, when you come to North America, you come to know that accent actally means that you are not speaking English in the manner that Americans speak - which means you do have an accent. So, to have an accent is actually not desireable - and Americans do not have an accent - they simply speak English the way they do.
They do have accents and quite a few between theme.g: Texan vs New England etc.
So do Canadians...e.g: newfies vs ontarians
http://guerson.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/newfie-accent/
As part of his gig a British comedian had this line... and I para phrase
"Americans often tell me my accent is cute, I tell them I dont have an accent, I'm from Britain I speak English!"
Bush has an accent and Bill Clinton has an accent. Hillary has a changing accent
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/02/hillaryclinton.uselections2008
Closer home our former PM and liberal party leader Jean Chretien had a heavy french accent when he spoke english. His confidence was however unmistakeable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V39405ajIU
Accents are ok unless illegible as has been pointed out by many. Its equally possible to be unable to understand English when spoken by someone from rural Arkansa as from rural Bihar.
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Last edited by: jake3d on 08-04-08 08:22:05 |
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08-04-08 07:50:57 |
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Fido
Senior Desi
Member since: Aug 06
Posts: 5247
Location: Canada
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Accents are there and a neutralization is needed for better acceptance and understanding in business / peers .
I have found that how we pronounce some words as different - 'coupon' ~
ku-pawn and 'record' ~ray-kard ... . It would not be uncommon to hear an oft repeated phrase from the listeners ---- ' Whats that ?? '
In order to neutralize this gap , please unlearn your english speaking speed that you might have gathered in India - speak slowly and clearly with a 1 finger spacing as my dad used to say . As long as you are speaking correct english you will notice comprehension will be better .
Try and pick up new pronounications as you come across them ... 2 of which I ve mentioned above ... assimilate them in your usage .
Be confident and clear in your ideas - if you are speaking somehting that others find benefit in ..... accent and pronounciation take a back seat .... Try by offering a $10/- bill to anyone in the strongest Indian accent . 
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Fido.
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08-04-08 09:29:21 |
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investpro
Senior Desi
Member since: Nov 06
Posts: 1628
Location: carl sagan's universe
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Aarey, the Bambaiya accent is the bestest yaar!
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08-04-08 16:50:51 |
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Contributors:
bjork(1) BlueLobster(1) chandresh(1) Desi # 1(1) Fido(2) GoldFinger(2) HelloG(2)
Iceberg(1) indiarocks(1) investpro(3) jake3d(1) jonav(1) mumdxbcan(1) musicgold(1)
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