There is something emotional about pronunciation. If we native Anglo-Saxons speak English while putting on almost any foreign accent the result is usually hilarious. But because accents are ‘funny’, when we learn a new language we feel uncomfortable about speaking in a way which would produce mirth and ridicule if our friends could hear us. Thus we resist. We play down its importance. The result is we learn to massacre a language as we learn to speak it.
In contrast to the mental effort of learning a new language, learning new pronunciation is physical. It requires moving our mouth in unnatural ways. But that is something that we don’t like to do, so our brain sympathises with our mouth and says ‘that’ll do’, well before we have achieved anything close to what would be considered acceptable to a native speaker.
Our brains seem to have a pronunciation filter. When we hear a new word pronounced in a foreign language, our brain breaks it up into bits of sound, approximating each one to the nearest corresponding sound (or phoneme) from our own language. When we try to replicate this new word, we use our own familiar phonemes to say it. The result is an approximation to the new word. But, like a teapot made out of Lego, the result is not as effective as you might have hoped.
Because of this you tentatively start a conversation in your target language only to be faced with a perplexed native who has no idea what you have just said. Your native gabbles out something in response, but as you aren’t familiar with the correct pronunciation, you’re just as lost and confused. This is a frustrating experience for both parties and one which is unlikely to make you feel good about yourself or your target language.
So let’s get this straight. From the very beginning of learning a language you have to make an effort to get to grips with the new pronunciation. It’s part of the deal. You can’t have one without the other. Don’t just learn to speak a new language, learn to speak it with the right accent.
1. It’s not just about individual words. Pay attention to the rhythm, intonation and cadence of entire sentences. Practise them regularly. By repeating them several times every morning, you’ll find that the unnatural gradually begins to feel more friendly and familiar.
2. Have you ever heard a recording of yourself speaking? Did it surprise you? How we think we sound and how we actually sound can be two very different things. Record yourself speaking your new language and see how you sound. Do you sound like a native? What do you need to work on in order to do so?
3. Ask for help. If you’re struggling with certain pronunciations, or if you’re unsure whether what you’re doing is right, get some supportive feedback from a sympathetic native speaker. Ask them directly about your pronunciation and how you can improve.
In short, accept the fact that not only are you going to learn to speak a new language, but you’re also going to learn to speak it with the right accent, no matter how strange it might sound. It will feel funny to start with, but this is what language learning is all about.