Why if you learn a language, which is little spoken-pronunciation is critical.
Language and pronunciation
Languages which are little spoken, such as Polish or Ukrainian, might be hard at first in terms of pronunciation, not because you are not good with languages but because the native speakers of these languages have never herd any non natives speak their language, therefore, their brains are not wired to understand non natives that well.
The whole world speaks English and even Spanish. But if you try to learn a language, which does not have a large population of people who speak this as their second tongue, pronunciation will be key. Why? Because the whole world speaks English and as an American my brain can understand large variations of accents dialects and grammar usage, as everyone speaks English in their own way. I have herd a range of English spoken from Chinese English to French English to Russian English to Spanish English even southern English or New York City. My brain is conditioned to understand English with large variations. However, when I learned Polish I noticed most Poles had never heard a foreigner really speak their language besides “Hello” “beer” and “thank you”. So when I learned Polish initially nobody could understand the words I was trying to utter. At first I thought this was me. But then I realized they had never heard anyone besides a native speaker speaks their language. And if the word is not pronounced exactly as they are use to they will not understand it. Even basic universal words like “Titanic” or Philadelphia” they will not understand unless you say it with an exact Polish accent. They do not even have regional variations in sound in Polish. There is only one Polish. Polish people are very good at speaking other languages for various reasons, but for Poles to understand foreigners, their brains are not accustom to a wide range of sounds that might approximate a Polish word.
They will insist it is you. But its not, trust me. It is they are not use to hearing anything but Polish Polish, not foreign Polish. My message is if you learn a lesser spoken language, focus on pronunciation and do not give up, eventually you will be a respected speaker and you will experience a little bit of a “Hollywood effect” as you will be one of the few foreigners who speak their language.
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April 12, 2007at 4:50 pm
Interesting and funny : foreign Polish. What is Polish English ?
April 13, 2007at 9:11 am
Foreign Polish is when foreigners, usually English speaking natives, try to speak Polish. I can even hear my own accent. My English speaking brain can only roughly approximate the complex sounds of Polish. On the other hand, if we were to talk about Polish English-Poles are very good at sounding like English speaking natives, sometimes with no accent. This is again because their language is so rich and complex. I hear Polish English accents on vowel sounds, “r” and “th”.
June 28, 2007at 11:23 am
I am an ESL / ELL teacher working in Vermont with twin elementary boys whose parents are native Polish speakers. I have been researching on the internet to try to find out what the challenges are for Polish speakers learning English. Both boys, but one in particular, seem to not pronounce his English “r” sound at all (i.e. flower is said as “flowah”). There also seem to be challenges with s and sh.
Can any native Polish speaker out there let me know if these are typical challenges? I am trying to rule out speech impediments. I think - but am not sure - that maybe it is just the articulation differences in the two phonetic systems. Thanks! Melissa
June 28, 2007at 12:17 pm
Hi, I am glad you asked this question. I live in Poland but I am an American and not only teach languages, but study Polish. Polish is 100% different then English. Different grammar, different structures and different pronuciation, different everything. I need to know the facts. How old are they?
’sh’ in English like in shop should be like Polish ’sz’, show him ’sz’ and he will know what it is. ok?
Did he also learn German also? I really need to know his age and how long he has been learning.
Another key thing is do they have speak problem in their own language?
If I could here him I could tell you.
Also in Polish they pronounce every single letter, so they will read words based on Polish orthography and pronunciation.
On the other hand, I think it may not be a speach problem per say, becasue r is very hard for Polish to get because its a different sound in Polish different. Polish people are actually very good at approximating English sounds as their language is so complex. Try saying W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie i Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie, and Wyindywidualizowaliśmy się z rozentuzjazmowanego tłumu. Really try to read those Polish sentence to them and see their reaction. ok? They will laugh at you for sure. 100%. Where English speakers will have a much harder time making Polish sounds as English is a poor language in terms of sounds. To correct this any speak problem takes time and drills and more time you do not have to make too big a deal out of it at first. I had speach problems when I was a kid in English and I went to a therapist and just did drills. I had trouble with my ‘r’ and ‘l’ sounds.
September 3, 2007at 1:35 pm
well im english and ive been learning polish for 9 months ive never been to poland but i work with polish people in work and socialise outside of work with polish people too. I find that the polish people that have been living in england the longest understand me when i speak polish but the ones that have only just come here dont also the polish people i speak to the most get to understand the way i pronounce their words which probably doesnt help with my learning. I find it difficult understanding them when they speak polish too if ive only just met them.