Re: Pronunciation

>  their views. The workshop didn't seem to cover intonation and stress,
>  two other key elements in spoken English. If the NNS hasn't mastered
>  these then they have problems in getting anything above their basic
>  message across and problems in being understood and listened to,
>  especially in extended speech. Chinese, for L! reasons, find
>  intonation and stress harder than do speakers of languages that place
>  more importance on these features. I know this from bitter experience
>  having attended international conferences with Chinese and other
>  presenters. A speaker with a mono-syllabic tonal background is at a
>  disadvantage.
>
>  When it comes to the importance of usage I agree totally. This is
>  where a grammar translation background lets the learner down. Usage
>  can be best learned by living the language, which is what David did.
>
>  Dick Tibbetts

Hello Dick,

Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise on pronunciation.

In the workshop I attended, the teacher focused more on phonemes, but
also touched intonation and stress. I agree with you that a lot of
native Chinese speakers, me included, are in the disadvantage because
of inadequate intonation and stress. In that case, what are the best
remedies to address the issue?

Thanks,

David Bi
-- 
I came, I spoke, I conquered. One sting at a time.
http://lingualbee.blogspot.com/




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