Indian Accent Reduction Made Easy!
Every language has its own sound system, grammar rules, and intonation patterns which makes it unique. Learning a new language means incorporating new sounds, new intonation patterns, grammar rules, as well as other skills, so that you can become an effective communicator. Being from a Indian background, there are several differences between your how you currently speak English and what we call standard American English. Some of these differences will not significantly impact your ability to be understood by Americans, while others will make a tremendous difference in your speech.
The areas listed below are a few examples of general areas your accent modification program may include. Other areas not included in this list may also be addressed, depending on your particular needs.
1. Indian languages are generally much faster than American English, so you are used to speaking quickly. Combine that with an accent, and it may be very difficult for Americans to understand your speech. Speaking Your Best will teach you how to reduce your speaking rate and show you how to maintain an appropriate rate when speaking English. This will be a very important part of your program.
2. There are several sounds in American English that you naturally have particular difficulty pronouncing. This is because you say them differently in your native language. In addition, you just don’t have some of these sounds in the Indian languages. For example, the "t" and "d" are two sounds that are most often pronounced too far back in the mouth. The "r" sound is also pronounced differently, and is the sound which will most likely affect your accent most. Speaking Your Best will work with you to improve the sounds you are having difficulty with, so that you speak clearly and confidently.
3. As an Indian speaker, you may notice that you tend to have a different “song” or melody when you speak American English. Your pitch tends to be flatter, and you tend to end words going up in pitch. Because your stressing and intonation patterns are so different, Americans may have difficulty understanding your speech. A very important part of your program may be learning how to make your pitch go up and down in the correct way so that you can “sing” in English.
4. Grammar may be an area of weakness for you if you began speaking English in your teens. Many Indians begin speaking English beginning in kindergarten and have few grammar errors by the time they are adults. Speaking Your Best will assess your grammar skills and work with you on the parts of speech that are difficult for you.
Accent modification courses with Speaking Your Best are customized to meet the specific needs you have and are designed to help you become an effective communicator in all speaking situations. Contact us today and learn how you can be a success by speaking your best!
The areas listed below are a few examples of general areas your accent modification program may include. Other areas not included in this list may also be addressed, depending on your particular needs.
1. Indian languages are generally much faster than American English, so you are used to speaking quickly. Combine that with an accent, and it may be very difficult for Americans to understand your speech. Speaking Your Best will teach you how to reduce your speaking rate and show you how to maintain an appropriate rate when speaking English. This will be a very important part of your program.
2. There are several sounds in American English that you naturally have particular difficulty pronouncing. This is because you say them differently in your native language. In addition, you just don’t have some of these sounds in the Indian languages. For example, the "t" and "d" are two sounds that are most often pronounced too far back in the mouth. The "r" sound is also pronounced differently, and is the sound which will most likely affect your accent most. Speaking Your Best will work with you to improve the sounds you are having difficulty with, so that you speak clearly and confidently.
3. As an Indian speaker, you may notice that you tend to have a different “song” or melody when you speak American English. Your pitch tends to be flatter, and you tend to end words going up in pitch. Because your stressing and intonation patterns are so different, Americans may have difficulty understanding your speech. A very important part of your program may be learning how to make your pitch go up and down in the correct way so that you can “sing” in English.
4. Grammar may be an area of weakness for you if you began speaking English in your teens. Many Indians begin speaking English beginning in kindergarten and have few grammar errors by the time they are adults. Speaking Your Best will assess your grammar skills and work with you on the parts of speech that are difficult for you.
Accent modification courses with Speaking Your Best are customized to meet the specific needs you have and are designed to help you become an effective communicator in all speaking situations. Contact us today and learn how you can be a success by speaking your best!
Common Mispronunciations for Hindi Speakers
1. The “r” sound is rolled
The Indian “r” is very different from the American “r” sound. In Hindi, it is pronounced by what we call “rolling” or "trilling" it. This means that you lightly place the tip of your tongue just behind your upper front teeth so that it hits it quickly.
To pronounce the American English “r” sound, begin by making a circle with your lips. As you do this, you will feel your lower jaw automatically push forward a bit. Then, pull your tongue high in the back of your mouth. It is actually the middle of your tongue that is high in your mouth. You should feel the tip of your otngue curl up toward the roof of your mouth. Make sure that it does not touch the roof of your mouth or curl back toward your throat.
The Indian “r” is very different from the American “r” sound. In Hindi, it is pronounced by what we call “rolling” or "trilling" it. This means that you lightly place the tip of your tongue just behind your upper front teeth so that it hits it quickly.
To pronounce the American English “r” sound, begin by making a circle with your lips. As you do this, you will feel your lower jaw automatically push forward a bit. Then, pull your tongue high in the back of your mouth. It is actually the middle of your tongue that is high in your mouth. You should feel the tip of your otngue curl up toward the roof of your mouth. Make sure that it does not touch the roof of your mouth or curl back toward your throat.
2. The “t” and “d” sounds are pronounced with the tongue too far back in the mouth
You are most likely pronouncing the “t” and “d” sounds with your tongue tip curled and placed too far back in your mouth. This creates a “heavier” sound than the American English “t” and “d” sounds. The “d” sound will sound thicker or heavier, while the “t” sound will sound similar to the American English “d.”
The American English "t" and "d" sounds are both formed by placing the tip of the tongue behind your upper front teeth, but not touching them. The tongue tip should not curl back and should not go behind area just behind the upper front teeth. Using just the tip of the tongue makes the sounds lighter. Begin by placing the tip of your tongue behind your teeth, hold your breath, then force the sound out. The only difference between the "t" and "d" sounds is in what we call "voicing." Your vocal cords in your throat make your voice; when you talk they vibrate, and when you breathe out, they don't.
When you say the "t" sound, you don't use your voice. This means that you are only pushing air out because your vocal cords in your throat are not vibrating. If you place your hand on your throat when you say the "t" sound, you should not feel any vibration and you should not hear your voice. The only thing you should hear is a puff of air as you force out the "t" sound.
The "d" sound uses your voice. If you place your hand on your throat when you say this sound, you will feel it vibrate.
When "t" sounds like "d":
The word “to” will sound like “do”
The word “tell” will sound like “dell”
You are most likely pronouncing the “t” and “d” sounds with your tongue tip curled and placed too far back in your mouth. This creates a “heavier” sound than the American English “t” and “d” sounds. The “d” sound will sound thicker or heavier, while the “t” sound will sound similar to the American English “d.”
The American English "t" and "d" sounds are both formed by placing the tip of the tongue behind your upper front teeth, but not touching them. The tongue tip should not curl back and should not go behind area just behind the upper front teeth. Using just the tip of the tongue makes the sounds lighter. Begin by placing the tip of your tongue behind your teeth, hold your breath, then force the sound out. The only difference between the "t" and "d" sounds is in what we call "voicing." Your vocal cords in your throat make your voice; when you talk they vibrate, and when you breathe out, they don't.
When you say the "t" sound, you don't use your voice. This means that you are only pushing air out because your vocal cords in your throat are not vibrating. If you place your hand on your throat when you say the "t" sound, you should not feel any vibration and you should not hear your voice. The only thing you should hear is a puff of air as you force out the "t" sound.
The "d" sound uses your voice. If you place your hand on your throat when you say this sound, you will feel it vibrate.
When "t" sounds like "d":
The word “to” will sound like “do”
The word “tell” will sound like “dell”
3. The voiced “th” sound is usually pronounced like “d”
Because there is no “th” sound in your native language, this may feel very awkward to form and pronounce. To form the voiced "th" sound in American English, stick out your tongue so that your upper front teeth rest on it very gently. This sound must be continued, which means that you will need to keep your tongue and upper front teeth touching while you say it. Try not to open your mouth and separate your tongue and teeth. This will be the hardest part. You use your voice to say this sound, which means that if you place your hand on your throat when you say it, you should feel your vocal cords vibrate. You will also hear your voice.
When voiced "th" sounds like "d":
The word “the” may sound like “duh.”
The word “that” may sound like “dat.”
Because there is no “th” sound in your native language, this may feel very awkward to form and pronounce. To form the voiced "th" sound in American English, stick out your tongue so that your upper front teeth rest on it very gently. This sound must be continued, which means that you will need to keep your tongue and upper front teeth touching while you say it. Try not to open your mouth and separate your tongue and teeth. This will be the hardest part. You use your voice to say this sound, which means that if you place your hand on your throat when you say it, you should feel your vocal cords vibrate. You will also hear your voice.
When voiced "th" sounds like "d":
The word “the” may sound like “duh.”
The word “that” may sound like “dat.”
