How to get rid off your foreign accent and speak like a native?

[stuartnz]

Originally Posted by hugsandkisses

I think George Orwell has clearly explained that the decadence of the English is due to the outrageous political language.

Orwell's rant is one of the most despised and frequently contemned of all such prescriptivists tirades on the linguistics blogs I frequent. For an example of how that piece of his is viewed by professionals in the field, see here.

[einzvi]

Speaking of English ‘standard’, be it ‘sub-‘, ‘non’ or otherwise, don’t you think that the linguistic diversity of English, as a consequence of its wide geographical dispersal (an ‘international lingua-franca’ as per Raymott above) and the general propensity to change (i.e., from ‘loose’ to ‘lose’), makes a strong case for the existence of more than one standard?

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by einzvi

Speaking of English ‘standard’, be it ‘sub-‘, ‘non’ or otherwise, don’t you think that the linguistic diversity of English, as a consequence of its wide geographical dispersal (an ‘international lingua-franca’ as per Raymott above) and the general propensity to change (i.e., from ‘loose’ to ‘lose’), makes a strong case for the existence of more than one standard?

I agree that there is more than one standard. BrE, AusE, AmE... are all different in some ways. But those ways are not fundamental. Of course, the pronunciation and vocabulary are different, but a person speaking the standard version of any major English speaking country will understand someone from another of these countries.

The fundamentals - syntax, verb-formation, prepositions, articles, pronouns... are all the same. So there is still a Standard English.
This might not be so important if English was not a world language. But I think it is worthwhile trying to maintain the concept of a Standard English so that learners can be assured that wherever they learn, or wherever their native English teacher comes from, they will learn an English that will allow them access to language from America, Britain, Aus and NZ, India and all the other English-speaking countries, as well, as I mentioned, as a uniform lingua franca.

I think the various Englishes (especially spoken) will eventually drift apart, but at the moment, it's certainly in the interests of foreign students to learn a core Standard English, which they can then modify easily if they go to live in a specific country.

[philadelphia]

When you like or even just speak a language, you accordingly have got to respect him.

I will never allow me to make English a worthless language, a sleazy place, a kind of stuff in which the speakers put all their fucking crap.

Just my point of view on the matter.

[poorboy_9]

Let me AXE you a question; did any of 'dis answer da oh-ridge-inal kestion?

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by poorboy_9

Let me AXE you a question; did any of 'dis answer da oh-ridge-inal kestion?

Yes, the second post went some way to giving an answer.

There's also a list of useful websites on this page
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/pr...ome-words.html

[hugsandkisses]

I think my post is quite intriguing...

[hugsandkisses]

Originally Posted by poorboy_9

Let me AXE you a question; did any of 'dis answer da oh-ridge-inal kestion?

wow cool!

[efljack]

There is only one way: imitate the native pronunciation, by playing videogames in English (like I did) and watching a lot of movies in English, then you repeat some phrases or sentences and the job's almost done. It ain't easy though, cause it takes a lotta practise, and if you really wanna do better, you have to spend some time living with the person who speak the accent of English you wanna learn. However you can achieve a good result staying at home too...

That is excellent advice. If you're interested in learning English for business,and you're an advanced student, I also have a few suggestions:

TED: Ideas worth spreading
authors@google
Charlie Rose

I hope that my videos are also helpful.

www.youtube.com/efljack

Best Reagrds,

Jack

[SUDHKAMP]

Originally Posted by hugsandkisses

That's an intriguing question. Please tell me your experience. I am gladly to hear from you.

I think one should not try to too much change one's own accent. Can you change your origin and parentage. Never. Only thing you must keep in mind that the English you speak is grammatically correct. No need to ape the natives, they speak sub-standard English. I have found that Indians have a better standard of English than the so called natives, because most of them are highly educated, having post graduate degrees in Information Technology, Medical science(Doctors) and financial analysts, and now even the Booker prize winners.
All of them have maintained their Indian accent and never tried to speak like those natives. Their English is far more superior and choice of words are exemplary. They have also admitted that the natives and Americans admire their vocabulary and understanding of the English language.

It is more akin to the economic power that you immitate somebody due to subtle psychology working. Now the Indians have come out as one of the major economic powers and are proud of their being Indian and asserting themselves by using their own accent. And it is respected.

The original question was how to get rid off foreign accent, and I think by speaking with a clear diction which is understood by all, there is no need to ape the 'natives' who use sub-standard English language.