The first topic I wrote about here has proved to be the most controversial and generated the most commentary, so I thought I'd revisit it and ask some questions to gain clarity.
First, though, I think it's important to mention that since there are so many accents, it makes sense that the collective "we" would seek a standard, as we do in any industry from computers to phones. We don't always agree, but establishing a standard can be useful and powerful, like standardizing on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as opposed to every country using a different English Alphabet.
So, here are few questions to ponder:
1. What defines a "neutral" accent? (How do we know it's "neutral"?)
2. Has anyone (any board or organization) set out parameters or standards for a "neutral" accent?
3. Does anyone know of a program that will train you in a "netural" accent - as opposed to an American one, a British one, or a regional one (such as dialect training)? If so, which program(s) do you know of?
4. Does anyone know how companies in India who wish to create a "neutral" accent go about doing it? Do they just hire a range of first language accented trainers and hope employees will benefit from hearing them all (randomly) or do they seek to train employees on each accent by defining the ones they are interested in and pursuing them specifically?
5. Even within a country, there are a multitude of accents, so how do we decide which British, Australian or American Accent is desired? Do we have to train on each of them? And then who decides which components constitute a "neutral" accent?
6.I've heard it said that a neutral accent is one "everyone" can understand easily - like the English newscasters study to speak broadly across a country; but can we apply this to world English?
Incidentally, one of the things a "neutral" accent reminds me of is the "Transatlantic" Accent of the 40's (in the sense that it was a "general" accent that those in media world were expected to emulate), and this is a discussion on how to define this accent: http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t4244.htm This discussion caught my attention because they are asking some of the same questions we are asking today with regard to a "neutral" accent.
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I don't think their is such a thing as a "neutral" accent. If neutral means most easily understood, then I would guess that an American Midwest accent would be "neutral". If a neutral accent is the one most people thnk sounds great, then it might be British. If it is the one most English speakers sound like, it might be Chinese since China has the more English speakers than any other country. Asking about which is a "neutral" English accent is as nebulous as as asking the definition of "good".
ReplyDeleteC.L.
Neutral accent exists.Millions of people using the term "neutral accent". There is no board or parameters for neutral accent, but neutralaccent.com has elaborately discussed about neutral english. It means a standard English which may not be a british one or an american one. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is no one really understands exactly what a "neutral accent" is in terms of training - what exactly can you teach someone without teaching your own accent? If you speak California English, that's the accent you are teaching, and if your client expects something different, there an be a disconnect in the end. It would be great to define in explicit terms which vowels with which specific articulation are "neutral" - for example the dialectal difference of distinguishing "cot" from "caught" - not everyone does that. Which way is "neutral"? How about the post-vocalic /r/ - rhotic or non-rhotic - which is neutral?
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a complete breakdown of specifics!
I do like this website: http://neutralaccent.com/
ReplyDeletementioned by the commenter above - it's got a lot of information about a variety of accents.
Neutral accent is an accent the world understands.
ReplyDeleteThe basic criteria of communication or accent is that one should understand what the other person is saying and vice versa. Communication is a crucial part of globalization. This globalization has created revolution in entrepreneurship and outsourcing.
The need for speaking in a neutral accent has been growing today because the customers and the clients have to interact in a universal language in a globally acceptable style and accent.
ref: http://www.neutralenglish.com
What I would love to have someone due is define in SPECIFIC terms with parameters and discussion vowel by vowel, consonant by consonant EXACTLY what a neutral accent is. This is what I'm waiting to hear.
ReplyDelete