Teach English in Lingzi Zhen - Zibo Shi

One of the most important aspects of any language is pronunciation. Learning the dynamics that makes up pronunciation in any language is crucial as it can be one of the determining factor of whether the message you are attempting to communicate verbally in a particular language is clearly understood by the native speaker of that language. According to the Cambridge dictionary, pronunciation is defined as “ how words are pronounced”. Cambridge dictionary also elaborated that pronunciation is the “ way in which a word or letter is said or said correctly or that way in which a language is spoken.” As it relates to pronunciation in the English language, words are pronounced slightly different among native English speakers due to the different accents affiliated with the varieties of the language in different countries or regions. For instance, in American and British English, virtually all words are pronounced differently due to the accents associated with the abovementioned varieties. Kerson pointed out that, in American English the word ‘advertisement’ is pronounced ‘AD-VER-ties-muhnt’ while in British English, the same word is pronounced ‘uhd-VER- tis-muhnt’. It is important to bear in mind that neither are inaccurate as each pronunciation is simply based on the different accents used in the aforementioned varieties and does not take away from the meaning of the word. It is also important to note that despite the varied ways in which English words are pronounced, for the most part it does not pose a significant problem for native English speakers communicating verbally among themselves while using different English varieties. However, it may pose a problem for non-native English speakers who may be learning English using only one particular English variety and may not be exposed to other varieties of the language. This problem for non-native speakers is based on my observation since I started teaching in Japan. In Japan, the main English variety that is use is American English. One of the main reasons for this is most native English teachers in the country are from America and in some areas in Japan, students’ interaction with native English speakers especially over a prolonged period of time and exposure to English have only been with American English teachers. With the immigration of other native English speaking teachers from countries such as: Australia, Britain and to some extent, South Africa to Japan, some Japanese students are gradually being exposed to other accents linked to other versions of English other than the American variety. However, this poses a problem as some Japanese students, who are learning English, have grown so accustomed to American English variety and accent, that it causes confusion when they are exposed to other versions in which pronunciation of English words differ from the American pronunciation. This issue further evolves in a situation where it gives a false perception among some Japanese students, that the pronunciation of English words using a different variety is incorrect. This perception can often lead to further confusion and debate among Japanese students and even Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) alike about the ‘right’ way to pronounce English words. Based on observation, this debate can gradually erode the Japanese’s long held view that American pronunciation is the most correct way – a dilemma in and of itself for a country that prides itself on doing things the proper way at all times, including learning English. Furthermore, the pronunciation issues which exist in the Japanese English education system is also brought on by the non-existence of phonics in Japan’s English language curriculum. This is particularly problematic because phonetics is one of the most important pillars on which the English language was created therefore the exclusion of it from English teaching in Japan has undoubtedly distorted pronunciation of English words among Japanese students. Japan’s pronunciation problem with English words is further exacerbated by two factors: the reluctance to include English phonetics in the national curriculum and enforcing this change in the classroom. The other factor is based on this reluctance whereby the process of pronouncing English words have been ‘katakanized’, meaning that, English words have been relegated to being pronounced using the Japanese katakana system. This situation results in Japanese students’ pronouncing English words incorrectly which often times affects their communication, particularly speaking skills, when they are interacting with native English speakers. For instance, English words that starts with or include the letter ‘R’ are very difficult for Japanese students and are pronounced with the ‘L’ sound instead. So for example, if a Japanese student asks a native English speaker “Do you like to eat lice?” the native English speaker may interpret the question as the student asking if they like to eat actual lice which is the name of a bug when in fact the student was attempting to ask “Do you like to eat rice?” The English speaker may find this peculiar and may not know how to answer such as question thus affecting verbal communication between them and the Japanese student. Notably as well is that, although Japanese students are mostly exposed to American English, this variety is not immune from being ‘katakanized’ as the pronunciation of English words using katakana is still encouraged by some JTE’s because of the perception among them that English phonetics may be too difficult for the students to learn. Therefore, the problems Japanese students face with pronouncing English words can be rectified with more exposure to all varieties of English as well as incorporating phonics in their English education system. Reference Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d). Meaning of pronunciation in English. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pronunciation Kerson, D. (2014). 22 words with British and American pronunciations that may confuse you. Retrieved from https://www.angmohdan.com/22-words-with-british-and-american-pronunciations-that-may-confuse-you/