THE VALUE OF PHONETICS IN TEACHING1 A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Abstract

A GOOD pronunciation of any language is similar to being well dressed; it is the outward semblance of culture and refinement in matters of speech, and it should be a thing of pride to any one because it is one's principal badge of honor and recommendation to the natives of that speech. Without a good pronunciation one can never be accepted by foreign people; he is always an outsider and can never really know the people whose language he is butchering. All of us are cautious and a bit suspicious of one who cannot pronounce English well, but we tend to accept with open arms one who probably knows little English, provided he can pronounce that little in a creditable manner. If we.bore people they tend to dispense with our society, and I, personally, soon separate myself from one who antagonizes me with unaccustomed and foreign English sounds. It is possible to acquire a pronunciation sufficiently accurate not to grate on native ears, as is proven by many who learn our own language in such a manner. We are tolerant up to a certain point, never expecting the impossible, but exacting certain definite standards of perfection, No one wants to talk to a person who does not understand his most delicate shades of meaning; we rightly infer that if the pronunciation is atrocious the language itself is as poorly mastered. Foreigners react to us in about the same manner that we react to them, and if they hold us at a distance we can never hope to really know them. A poor pronunciation is a just cause for self belittlement and works havoc in all directions.