Re: speaking English in America/ Was Pronunciation

 g

--- Lingual Bee <lingualbee-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Russ,
> 
> Having been living in the U.S. for over a decade as a non-native
> speaker, I found that, for Chinese, the pronounciation is much less a
> concern than the proper usage of the language. I have experienced far
> more miscommunication because I chose wrong words or phrase in
> speaking or writing than bad pronounciation. On the other hand,
> Indians tend to have relatively heavy accent, but seem to be able to
> communicate well.
> 
> Of course, if the pronounciation is bad enough to cause
> misunderstanding, then it needs to be worked on.
> 
> David>>>>>>

Hi David...I take it you are Chinese? I find your remarks interesting and
especially after spending 10 years in the U.S. I meet with a considerable
number of (PRC) Chinese here in the U.S. and their pronunciation and
communication structure is not real good (but much better than my Mandarin
could ever be) but I find they communicate in very simple and basic English. I
have no problems in understanding them just as I communicate very well with the
Chinese at the university in the PRC when I teach ESL. So...I commend you and
think you probably communicate much better than you realize.

Re. English speaking by Indians (assume you are referring to India); that is a
whole different subject. I do hope you are enjoying your time in America. I so
wish more Americans and you Chinese would spend more time in developing
friendships. This is so important between our two countries. I include Taiwan.
As an American going to teach ESL in China I came to be very fond of the
Chinese and the culture of China. I so hope you Chinese can adapt here as well.
It really takes effort. I'm pleased to see that more and more young Americans
are now taking MSL (Mandarin as a Second Language). A slow process indeed but
the world must start paying more attention to communicating with China in
Mandarin. One day we may be discussing this same issue about Americans having
problems with Mandarin. It is an interesting world re communication. Frankly,
you Chinese are doing a great job in spite of much list discussion to the
contrary.

Best, Don

  


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 





^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
   _o_     ~
c(___)/` U

    http://wikigogy.org our wiki

    TEFLChina Rules & Help: http://wikigogy.org/TEFLChina