‘Regionalism in Pronunciation’ by Reena Mittal

[ELTWeekly Volume 6, Issue 11 | April 28, 2014 | ISSN 0975-3036]

English in India is a question of Linguistic centralism while the other languages lead to linguistic regionalism. A foreign language always posed problems in the country when exist firmly and distinctly. We have heard of Regionalism in the novels of Hardy and R.K. Narayan; which depicts reference and description of same place. Regionalism to ESL (English speaking and Learning) means particular locale effect in pronunciation. When we visit a particular region of the country, we notice several constructions, sounds of particular alphabet and words which denote that he/she belong to so and so area. This influence sometimes become a good laugh at others expense if we talk globally.

One can never proclaim to know all the words and their pronunciation in English as it is an evolving language. New words keep on adding continuously especially from other languages as French, Spanish, German Chinese and many others. But the basic structure and pronunciation is must to adopt correctly without any error. As the worst part of this ‘Regionalism’ is, it kills our self confidence in global arena. We remain confident and mastero as far as we are in our own sphere but when that sphere is widened this circumstance is completely shattered. As s/z/sh/j/y/m and many other sounds which are very differently pronounced in different regions of India. They give a funny object when spoken internationally.

They are some steps which can limit this unwanted influence. Although it is really hard nut to crack as learners are not at fault. Their teachers/instructors are also following the same practice. But it needs few efforts such as:

• A lot of courage and willingness to improve oneself
• Listening to English News and channels.
• Reading English Newspaper aloud.
• Using English Tongue Twisters exercises.
• Listening to your own pronunciation and comparing it with other correct pronunciation also help a lot.

Each language has different letters, words and script. We need not try to intermingle them. Instead of that focus on sounds of the language we are learning actually. We have to transfer our influence of first language to second language. But that transfer has to be positive and cognitive as to promote skill of learning. Each language is unique because of its style, sound and function, so, why not to learn it with its own uniqueness and speciality.