Blogs
A Casual Talk
|
The conversation at the English corner left a lasting impression on me, mainly due to the remarkable London accent of a young girl who spoke there. Throughout the years, my exposure to English has primarily involved materials featuring a London accent. However, the reality is that the messages we receive, particularly from movies and news, often showcase American English. There isn't an absolute insistence that we must speak either British English or American English. What truly matters is our ability to express ourselves effectively and connect with one another.
In our daily conversations, we often find ourselves speaking a form of Chinese English. It's almost akin to a dialect, yet comprehensible as long as we make the effort to speak, with key words playing a significant role in ensuring understanding among native speakers.
Regarding my own accent, although I can't be entirely certain, I am confident in my ability to articulate with both clarity and fluency. To me, that suffices. However, the young girl made an indelible mark on me due to her fluency, speaking as if she were a native speaker. She shared that she had been studying in a foreign language school since childhood, living as a boarding student where all classes were conducted in English. This immersive experience naturally enabled her to express herself freely in the language. Over the years, she excelled in that environment and is now on the brink of completing her high school education. Her aspirations revolve around furthering her education abroad, focusing on business studies.
Ultimately, what truly mattered in our conversation was the effective communication and mutual understanding we shared, irrespective of our backgrounds and perspectives. Realizing the full potential of a language lies in our ability to connect and understand each other, transcending our differences.
