ERIC Number: ED426604
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1999
Reference Count: N/A
Why Do Some People Have an Accent?
Birner, Betty, Ed.
This brochure explains in lay terms what an accent is and how it occurs, focusing on how learners of English-as-a-Second-language come to have what is perceived as an accent. It begins with an explanation of two kinds of accent: that of a non-native speaker and that of a speaker from a particular region in which a language is spoken. The second section examines why foreign speakers have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds in a new language, with examples offered from a variety of native languages. In the third section, the reasons that some sounds appear harder to pronounce than others are discussed. A final section looks at which languages are most difficult to learn, and why. (MSE)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Authoring Institution: Linguistic Society of America, Washington, DC.