How do you improve your language skills to the point that you can give a snappy response when foreigners compliment you on the way you speak ‘their’ language?
IN the past, during my years spent living and studying overseas in Australia and in the United Kingdom, I was often presented with this matter of fact statement. At that time, I didn’t really know how to respond, especially when surrounded by native speakers.
It was often difficult to explain something that was indeed very natural to me.
But nowadays, when the same statement is put to me, I respond confidently with a “And so do you!”, often accompanied by a quizzical look, as if to not find their observations funny at all.
I find pride in being able to converse and express myself fluently in this language of the world. The English language can only be explained as being all pervasive; its tentacles of speech, writing, and readings are present throughout the world. This undeniably impacts all, especially those who, like myself, find a passion for all things English. So then, speaking English becomes a natural thing which transcends borders and cultures.
So, you may ask, how does one speak good English? The answer is simple: READ.
I am not of the MTV generation where, if one was schooled on a diet of vivid images peppered with US-centric stories and drawls, you would often have an Americanised accent. But I’d like to think that since English belongs to us all, that accents of different countries are becoming less discernible. What has emerged now instead is a globalised version of the language, that makes it difficult for the listener to know the origins of any speaker.
But then again, does it matter? What matters is that an ease of speaking can stem from reading. I’d like to believe that you eventually develop your own accent and voice from drowning yourself with reading, in all manner and forms.
I grew