Unit 2. Accents (2).

English as an International Language
Unit 2; Part A
In this book... | |
... you will use British English as a model for pronunciation. | In particular, you will use the variety that has come to be known as'BBC English'. BBC English is the pronunciation used by speakers suchas newsreaders and announcers on television and radio, including theWorld Service. Some of these speakers have regional accents from theUnited Kingdom, such as Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish accents, butthe accent you will hear is typical of those with anEnglish accent. This accent is taken as the 'model' because it is awidely broadcast and respected variety, and for most people is easilyunderstood. |
... you will hear a wide variety of English accents. | Recorded material used mainly for listening includes speakers withdifferent English accents. Some have English as their first language(e.g. from Australia and the United States), while others have Englishas a second or foreign language (e.g. from Japan and Poland). This willhelp prepare you to understand different pronunciations of English.Information about where speakers come from is given in the Key. |
Unit 2; Part B

The use of English has spread far beyond those countries where it isused as a firt language. In some countries, such as India, Malawi, thePhilippines and Singapore, ![]() The widespread use of English as an international language means thatmuch of the interaction in English that now goes on around the world isbetween speakers who don't have English as a first language. Forexample, when German and Spanish politicians meet to discuss policiesof the European Union, their chosen language of communication mightwell be English. The same might apply when Saudi Arabian and Japanesepeople meet to do business. |
Unit 2; Part C

The consequence of this is that there is an enormous variety of accentsof English in addition to those of 'British English', 'AmericanEnglish', 'Australian English' and so on, and you may be more likely tospeak to people with 'Indian English', 'Singaporean English' or'Russian English' pronunciation.
It would be impossible, however, tolearn to 'switch' your pronunciation each time you were talking to aspeaker with a variety of English different from your own - to use anAustralian English pronunciation with an Australian, or Chinese Englishpronunciation with a Chinese person. Consequently, it is useful to'model' your pronunciation on one variety - but also recognise thatthis is just one of many equally acceptable varieties.
Exercises
![]() | Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 | ![]() |
Офис - это место принятия самых ответственных решений, именно поэтому офисная мебель Киев должна быть комфортной и уютной.