You’ve worked hard to bring your English to a good level and are confident that you can understand the language in a variety of contexts, but what happens when you meet a native speaker with an accent that you’re not accustomed to hearing? Suddenly, all your study efforts seem to have been in vain as you struggle to communicate in the most basic of situations.
The range of accents around the English-speaking world can certainly present a challenge to those learning the language. Many of us are familiar with American accents due to the reach of the global media, but what about listening to a native speaker from somewhere such as Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or India – not to mention the endless linguistic varieties that exist within each individual region? In recent years, popular films such as The Full Monty (UK), Slumdog Millionaire (India) and District 9 (South Africa) have provided an excellent source of contact with the different sounds of English for viewers around the globe. Don’t worry if you turned on the subtitles – some films can be difficult even for native speakers to understand if they come from a different area!
So how can you lessen the challenge of encountering different accents in English? Seeking increased exposure to a range of speakers – whether through film, radio, television or direct contact – can help you feel at ease with unfamiliar linguistic situations. If you know you are going to visit a particular area, for example, or work with people who have a certain accent, you can target your study to local news or broadcasting via the Internet. There is also a great deal of information about the different linguistic varieties of English available online, such as reference articles or sources of interactive learning.
Have you been in a situation where an English speaker’s accent was particularly difficult to understand? Which varieties do you think are the most challenging for non-native speakers? Visit the telc English Facebook page and tell us about your experiences!