Quote:
Originally Posted by Haven
Hi all,
I just have a few questions.
I'm starting to learn Spanish (again, I studied it in high school but have forgotten nearly all of it), and I've heard different things from different people about native accents. Some people have said not to emulate native speakers' accents, but to concentrate on pronouncing things correctly and being understood. Others say to attempt a native-like accent and try to eliminate any English influence.
I've always agreed with the second camp and have wanted to speak like a native, but I realize that might not be possible or even desirable, especially for someone at a beginner's level with the language.
What do you guys think? Is it worth it to attempt a native accent, or should I just concentrate on speaking the language clearly and acquiring decent vocabulary, grammar, and so on. Thanks!
-Haven  |
You will aquire the native accent of the people you speak Spanish with.
If you're around educated speakers of Spanish you'll speak like they do.
If you're around uneducated speakers of Spanish you'll speak like they do.
Get audio books in Spanish which almost always have educated speakers.
Listen to them over and over again. You're brain will automatically pick up
the accent. I have audio recordings of Spanish speakers from Colombia,
Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Venezuela and Argentina among others. I can
immitatate all of them. A guy from Colombia told me I sound just like I'm from
Colombia. When I'm with Cubans I speak like them. I recorded my classes in Mexico
and people tell me I speak like a university professor.