The Myth of Reference Varieties in English Pronunciation across the Subcontinent, Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  

Oleh:

Khan, Muhammad

Jenis: Article from Journal - e-Journal
Dalam koleksi: International Journal of English Linguistics vol. 5 no. 3 (Jun. 2015), page 19-36.
Topik: reference varieties; English phonemic differences; segmental phonology; native and non-native; sound system; first language; second language; accent; variation
Fulltext: 19-36.pdf (345.96KB)

Isi artikel

The present study aims at exploring the differences in pronunciation more or less prevailing in the Indian Subcontinent and Arab world with a special focus on Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The study identifies the most common factors that affect English pronunciation in general: (i) some phonemic differences that exist in L1 and English as a target language, (ii) Improper teaching and learning of English pronunciation. When non-native speakers of English exchange their ideas among themselves, their comprehension is to the maximum. But their pronunciation seems problematic in case the speaker or interlocutor is a native speaker. A test for the nationals of the lands included in the study was developed and administered to identify and specify the exact area(s) of pronunciation difficulties either consonants or vowels at segmental level of phonology. The analysis and conclusion of the test fully proved that English pronunciation is deeply influenced by the sound system of indigenous languages. As a matter of fact, English pronunciation of some non-native speakers, through their best possible efforts, may be closer to native speakers but not exactly like that of natives. The fact is that native and non-native differences in English pronunciation are unquestionable. Moreover, non-natives living in different areas (sometimes of the same community) also differ more or less in their pronunciation.

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