[Infosaturated]

Anyone try to read Old English recently? Languages are always evolving. English has had both the privilege and curse of becoming a world language. It is a privilege because English speakers face fewer barriers in business and travel. It is a huge benefit having so much of the internet available in one's native language. A curse, because it is spoken in so many different countries that the British no longer "own" the language therefore it can't be controlled.

American Engish is or has become the international English and it is continuing to evolve. The root purpose of language is communication. American English is slowly becoming simplified. For example, they accept the spelling of nite as night. "Real" is accepted as an adverb as well as "really". I used to think this was terrible but now realize it has both pros and cons. Simplifying grammatical conventions and spellings makes the language more accessable to more people which promotes communication. Communication is the primary purpose of language so that would seem to be a good thing. The downside, in my opinion, is loss of musicality. Perhaps it is because I am Canadian, but I much prefer the sound of the RP British accent.

So, as many others have already noted the students' purpose in learning the language is the most significant determiner of what we should be teaching. Intelligibility is important, accent is not, unless the student wants to cultivate a particular accent for some reason. My students will invaribly be influenced by my accent. It hadn't even occured to me to teach to a specific accent. I live in Montreal, Quebec, a highly multicultural city. People speak English with many different accents here and I love the variety.

"Speaking like a native" seems to be a significant goal for many but I personally believe people should relax and just focus on intelligibility. Accents are charming and they are an expression of individuality and identity.