12 Sep 2024 • 1 min read
When learning English, many people worry about their accent. The truth is, your accent is not as big of an obstacle as you might think. What really matters is pronunciation. Let's break down the difference and why you should embrace your accent while focusing on clear pronunciation.
Nine times out of ten, you don't actually need to worry about your accent. You may think that people do not understand you because of your accent, but that has nothing to do with pronouncing it wrong. For example, a woman from Italy speaks English with an Italian accent, but her pronunciation is excellent.
Pronunciation refers to individual words, while accent refers to the overall sound of your speech. Some people prefer certain accents over others, but that's just personal preference. Pronunciation is about how we make sounds, and accent is the melody of our speech.
As a native English teacher, I absolutely love accents. They're beautiful and should be embraced rather than erased. It can sound unnatural when non-native speakers use only a few words with a posh British accent and the rest in their own accent.
Stay in your voice, stay original, and understand that pronunciation remains consistent. For example, the pronunciation of a word will usually be the same across countries like the UK, America, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
Accent your way through the English language and find your own voice with practice in pronunciation. Be confident and true to yourself!
In conclusion, accents enhance speech, but clear pronunciation is essential for understanding. Embrace your accent and focus on improving your pronunciation to communicate confidently. It's about being understood, not losing your accent.
