Want to Lose Your Native Accent?

The idea to write this post came when I was having a conversation with my colleague at campus. He said that we learned English for communication. It didn't matter whether we spoke with our native accents, as long as the native speakers of English understood what we were trying to deliver.


I partially agree with my colleague's statement, because when I searched on Google, apparently we really NEED to lose our native accent and speak correct English. Why? Because for some people whose jobs are to meet a lot of people and to make communication with them, correct and understandable English is needed. For example, a telephone operator. How can people understand what you're saying when you talk with Javanese or Sundanese accent (plus ON THE PHONE)?


Then, I searched again on Google about how to lose your native accent if you want to speak correct English. I found some tips which are, in my opinion, effective enough. Here goes.

1. Observe and imitate the mouth movements of those who speak English well

You can watch from Youtube, movies, or real people from the real world near you who speak English well. Don't be ashamed to look silly, or to be mocked by the people around you. You're the one who will get better in speaking English correctly in the end.

2. Learn also the correct intonation and rhythm

Different English accents have different intonations and rhythms. I suggest you learn the standard accent first, i.e. standard American accent. Why do I suggest standard American? Because Indonesian people are easier to imitate the Americans because of the Hollywood movies, so it's easy to find sources to learn the standard American. 

3. Don't speak too fast when you're still learning

If you speak fast and you make mistakes in the pronunciation of some words, you'll look stupid and people won't understand what you say if you speak fast. But don't speak too slowly, either. You don't want people to think you're a robot or mental retarded, do you?

4. Read aloud in English for at least 10 minutes daily

Find an English novels, short stories, news, anything. Read them aloud along with the intonation and rhythm. Reading aloud for ten minutes daily is enough to help you improve your pronunciation and lose you native accent.

5. Install a speaking dictionary on your computer

This is very practical rather than buy a dictionary. Why do I say this is practical? Because the technology advancement (notebooks, netbooks, even tablets) that makes your life a lot easier. You can even install a speaking dictionary on your smartphone (of course you must use the mobile version of the dictionary). I recommend you install Concise Oxford English Dictionary. When you install it on your device, you can look up for a word, click on the speaker logo, and voila, it pronounces the word!

6. Record your own voice and find the pronunciation mistakes

You can do the number 4 tip and you record it while you're reading. Listen to your recording, and find the pronunciations that you think you need to improve.

So, that's the tips I can summarise from various sources, including my own's. Try this for 3 months and you'll see your own improvement.

 

Source 

NOUN

What is a NOUN? According to Concise Oxford English Dictionary, a NOUN is a word used to identify any of class of people, places, or things (common noun)*, or to name a particular one of these (proper noun)**.

* Common nouns such as dog, chair, road, etc.
** Proper nouns such as John, Marie, Apple Inc., STBA Yapari-ABA Bandung, Indonesia, etc.

THE FUNCTIONS OF NOUNS

To know more about NOUNS, watch this video.

And to know what NOUNS do, watch this.

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

NOUNS are divided into two categories: those which are COUNTABLE and those which are UNCOUNTABLE. To understand more about COUNTABLE and UNCOUNTABLE nouns, watch this video.

SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS

COUNTABLE nouns have two forms: SINGULAR and PLURAL. To make a singular noun plural, you don't just simply add -s ending. There are some rules and exceptions in making singular nouns plural. Read here for the explanation.



So, I hope the explanation about the NOUNS, one of the parts of speech, will help you understand more about them. Please comment if you have anything to say. Thank you and cheerio! 

Source

FINITE AND NON-FINITE VERBS

In syntax, verbs are divided into two categories: FINITE and NON-FINITE. 

FINITE VERBS

Finite verbs are verbs which are influenced by the change of tenses. They are also influenced by the number and person of its subjects.

Example:

1. I went to the hospital yesterday. (the verb go is finite. It is influenced by the tense, i.e. past tense, hence, the verb changes into the past form.)
2. She goes jogging everyday. (the verb go is finite. It is influenced by the number of subject, i.e. third person singular. Also by the tense, i.e. present tense. Hence, the verb changes into the third person singular present form.)

NON-FINITE VERBS

Non-finite verbs are those which aren't influenced by the change of tenses, nor the number and person of its subjects.

Example:

1. She likes shopping. (the verb shop is non-finite, because it follows the finite verb like. If the person or tense is changed, it doesn't influence the non-finite verb.)
2. She liked shopping.

To understand more about FINITE and NON-FINITE VERBS, look at this video.

Hope the explanation and video help you. Please do comment if you have something to say.

Source

STBA YAPARI ABA translation project of D class 5th semester