A person’s accent is the product of where they are from and, in some cases, their social and educational background.
For example, someone from Australia will most probably speak with an Australian accent, but in Australia there are also different accents because of differences in social background and education.
This is generally the case for everybody, in any part of the world. Even within a country or region, accents can be different.
For example, the different local accents that are found in London. One identifiable accent there is called Estuary English, as it’s mostly spoken in the areas near the River Thames and its estuary. This accent has some features of various different London accents, including the cockney accent typical in the East End of London.
Map of English-speaking countries
There are, of course, standard types of accents; accents that are not associated with a particular region. An example of this is Standard English, also known as Received Pronunciation (RP), an accent not associated with a particular region, although it is related to the accents in the south of England. Received Pronunciation is considered to be a prestigious British standard accent by some; however, a very small percentage of people living in the UK actually speak with this accent.
English as a lingua franca
The fact is that, nowadays, the majority of speakers of English are non-native speakers – those who speak English as a second or third language, a lingua franca, a language used for communication between groups of people who speak different languages; for example, scientists working in a European context or the staff in an airport. So, taking this into account, the goal of having a native-speaker accent could be seen to be irrelevant.
Everybody has an accent
Everybody has an accent, although, if you think that a person doesn’t have an accent, this could be because they have the same accent as you. A person’s accent is part of their history and their identity. Different accents reflect the richness of civilisation and culture. So, when is someone’s accent an issue?
These days English is taught increasingly as an international language. To use English as an international language, the only real issues are those that affect intelligibility. The important thing is to be able to communicate with others, be they native or non-native speakers.
What do language learners need?
To be able to understand others and communicate intelligibly, a language learner needs to come into contact with different accents and be sensitised to the differences in pronunciation, so that they can cope in the real world where they will constantly be coming into contact with different accents.
Try the following sensitising or conscious-raising exercise to see an example of how students can practise listening to different accents:
In this Pre-Advanced (B2+ Council of Europe level) exercise from the Net Languages General English course, learners are exposed to speakers with different accents, saying words and short sentences.
This is a sensitising exercise where learners can become more aware of accent differences and, as a result, cope with them better when they are encountered. An exercise like this can help to prepare learners so that they can communicate in the many and varied contexts in which they find themselves in their day-to-day lives.
Is very interesting and funny to listen and compare the different accents which are possible, for me the Londoner is very difficult to understand and the easier is from the United States
Thanks for your comment, Yolanda. We’re glad you enjoyed listening to the different accents. Sometimes people from the same city have very different accents; a West London accent is very different from an East London accent, for example. It’s interesting that some people find it easier to understand a British accent and some people find it easier to understand a North American accent. Perhaps it depends on which accent you are more accustomed to hearing.
Thanks to Admin for sharing the above lessons about “How to improve English”. I am a Software Engineer. While working with the team getting problem in English to Communicate. Looking into this a week back my manager suggested me this link. Keep sharing such good knowladge base. I will recommed this link to my Friends.
Thanks for your comments, Jarod. We’re happy to hear that you are finding the posts useful.
Excellent article. I will be dealing with some of these issues
as well..
it is enough speech about an accent thank you my bother I appreciate for something has been done it was wounderfull.
Thank you, this really helps. Most people I know who want to learn English are busy trying to get the “right” accent, and I’ve always questioned whether or not that’s important.
This is the most precious advice: `come into contact with different accents and be sensitised to the differences in pronunciation`.
If you allow me, I want to add that it is important to do this as early as possible.
I am suffering myself trying to distinguish the difference in accent and sounds cause I got exposed to English much later in my life.
I think it doesn’t matter what accent a person has, as long as it sounds understandable. But I am in love with a British accent and would love to have it (even though it makes it difficult to understand many words for beginners to learn English).
There is a lot of information about accents and their specifics in this list: https://www.dialectsarchive.com/links-and-resources I think it is useful to know how some accents sound and to practice listening to English with different accents.
Beginners really don’t have to worry about this, but more confident speakers just need to practice and it’s great that your course takes this into account!
Thanks to Admin for sharing the above lessons about “How to improve English, Effort To put This Article Together Keep sharing such good knowledge base
Thanks for the information.
Keep Posting.
Just gone through it today, its really helpful, thank you for helping us leaning different accents, according to me American accent is easy to learn and understand. You can add Indian accent in this website or in your list.
Thanks for your commments, and also everyone’s comments on this post so far. It’s an interesting area to focus on. And yes, it’s a good idea to incorporate as many accents as possible into the courses.
Hi,
I’m an English teacher from Iran. In my country it is believed that a good teacher must speak like a native American/British in terms of accent. Is it common in other countries?
Thanks for your comment, Masoud. That’s an interesting point. There are many different native-speaker accents. For example, people from Scotland or Ireland, or even from different parts of London all have different accents. Then there are accents from places like Canada, Australia or India, to mention just a few examples. These days, you are more likely to be speaking with a non-native speaker of English, rather than a native speaker. So, the kind of accent you have is not important. The important thing is that you are intelligible, that you can communicate easily and that your accent doesn’t interfere with communication. Thanks for your interest!
I found northern ireland and south african accent very familiar and
easy to understand most difficult one is sccottish
As an Indian I am little bit disappointed not to see Indian sample
Afterall India is largest English speaking nation
Thanks very much for your comments, Himanshu. Yes, it would be good to hear even more examples of accents, including an Indian one. Wishing you all the best for 2024!