I am quite good with written english but, english being my second language, I have a hard time understanding the english movie dialogues and english song lyrics... and am pretty much used to english as spoken in India with every letter distinct and clear.
How do I train myself to understand the American and British accents, (of which the former is more difficult for me)?
Listening to more songs and watching mre movies isn't helping.
Is listening to more stuff the only answer?
2006-09-09 11:33:40 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
This is in my field so I'll try to help. If you can obtain English-language DVD's with multi-language subtitles, set them up so that the subtitles are in English. This facility is normally designed for the hearing impaired, but it has been very effective for many of my students who are in the same position as yourself. For them, 'American' and 'British' English are like two completely different languages.
The reason it is more effective is that you are using an extra sense to help you process the incoming sounds and so you are more quickly able to 'translate' what you hear according to the text you see.
About the only other way to deal with this problem is to try and meet native speakers from the UK and US and spend time speaking with them. You will gradually pick up the subtleties, for it is the fine details that are the problem. Many of them have trouble understanding the so-called 'Indian' accent as well. It is a question of tone variation and tempo -- on both sides!
I wish you good luck and hope you meet with success soon. And don't give up -- you can do it!
Lenky
2006-09-09 11:50:00 · answer #1 · answered by Lenky 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you are truly lost listening to tv and movies I'd try watching some children's shows. They usually speak more slowly and use simpler vocabulary. Also there are certain actors who do speak very distinctly, like Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn, etc. There are so many different films and tv shows, surely there will be a few that are easier to understand.
It's true what someone else said: we native speakers have a hard time understanding song lyrics too! Try listening to some slow music.
2006-09-09 17:46:42 · answer #2 · answered by tiger lou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English is my second language and I learned it as an adult. You need to expose yourself people with different accents, it will be the only way to get used to them and understand. Movies and music isn't helpful due to the fact that they speak too fast. Make friends or come to the states and you will even learn Spanish. Good luck!!!
2006-09-09 14:45:16 · answer #3 · answered by Manera 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was going to suggest more song and movies listening but since it isn't helping you, I agree, there is no better way of learning a foreign language than living it 100% of your time.
Keep practicing with songs and challenge yourself, writing the lyrics as you hear the song.
2006-09-09 11:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by marianixtwim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch as much english./american TV as you can, you'll get the hang of it and for songs, even I don't understand some of the lyrics because some of the singers don't pronounce it very good.
2006-09-09 13:38:21 · answer #5 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this point, probably only total immersion will help...6 months in the US will expose you to just about every accent imaginable. Good luck
2006-09-09 11:37:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
subtitled movies and put the closed captioning on your tv.
2006-09-09 17:11:23 · answer #7 · answered by new yorkr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lenky is right. Been there, done that, and still doing. It works!
2006-09-09 14:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by Kanda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋