Perfect pronunciation should not be our single aim

Perfect pronunciation should not be our single aim

                ----Based on a post from the Internet

For Chinese people, English learning is a nation-wide surge nowadays. And since Crazy English makes people crazy, more and more English learners begins to pay close attention to the pronunciation, even specified to such questions as “How should I move my tongue?”, “How much strength should I put forth with my belly?”, and some students would wonder how to speak English with an enchanting voice like LiYang.

The biggest selling point and advantage of Crazy English leveled the study and learning of the pronunciation to a extremely high status, even deified it, which makes it whoever wants to learn Crazy English, he would spare no expenses to train himself speak English in a pure and standard accent.

To be honest, a person who has a good pronunciation indeed impresses others. However, ironically, this “advantage” is not that solid than we thought. Having a good pronunciation without a large vocabulary, a strong ability of expression, or a wide range of reading, you have no capital to show off. What we need is not the so-called praise, but the proficiency of English.

We all know that Indians don’t have a perfect English pronunciation. Nevertheless, they truly excel in English than we do. The thing is they could express themselves in English with ease.

As for us, how many of us carefully considered the purpose of learning English. Up from the governments, down to the kindergarten, it seems everyone is crazily learning English, crazily taking the English level certificates. Is it ridiculous that English levels should be binding on the rank of professional titles and their scientific research level? What is the internal relation between English level and the status of a country?

English learning is much like swimming. If you decide to learn to swim, remember the essential purpose if to survive, the next to save others, then to keep fit. Back to English learning, whenever we learn a language, the purpose is to communicate and to absorb advanced knowledge with English, as a tool. Therefore, first, learn how to express ourselves, next the fluency and standard, final is authentic accent. Never put the cart before the horse.

Mr. Lee really has an enchanting voice, even better than most Native Americans. But it takes years of ordeal to reach. Think about the real world, how many the successful personage would care about the perfection of pronunciation, unless you are determined to be an announcer or something like that.

Actually, the pronunciation hasn’t a direct connection with listening, let alone the success. Martin Luther King, with a strong African American accent, made his well-known speech “I have a Dream”, which encouraged several generations. Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, also doesn’t have a perfect pronunciation, which still can’t stop us admiring him.

Let us reflect on ourselves and ask what exactly we should learn English for? Please bear in mind “Do not stand upon punctilios, and ignore the comprehensive view of the whole situation!”