Try Googling "how to get rid of my accent," and see how many ads pop up. Global communication specialist Heather Hansen tells us that's because the native speaker doesn't know how to do what nonnative speakers do naturally: speak in ways that are accessible to everyone, using simple words and phrases.Īnd yet, as Hansen points out, this more accessible way of speaking is often called "bad English." There are whole industries devoted to "correcting" English that doesn't sound like it came from a native British or American speaker. And the conversation trickles to a halt.ĭecades of research show that when a native English speaker enters a conversation among nonnative speakers, understanding goes down. The American speaks quickly, using esoteric jargon ("let's take a holistic approach") and sports idioms ("you hit it out of the park!"). They're having a great time speaking to each other in English, and communication is smooth.Īnd then an American walks into the room. There are people from Germany, Singapore, South Korea, Nigeria and France. Picture this: A group of nonnative English speakers is in a room.
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