Understanding and being understood in English, especially as a non-native speaker, goes beyond mere vocabulary or grammar. It’s about delving into the subtle yet impactful realms of accent, intelligibility, and comprehensibility. In this post, we unravel these concepts, providing insights into how they influence communication and how focusing on them can enhance your spoken English.
The world of applied linguistics offers fascinating insights into what makes spoken language tick. While ‘accent’ refers to the unique pronunciation patterns we bring to a language, ‘intelligibility’ and ‘comprehensibility’ are where the true essence of understanding lies. Intelligibility is about how much of your message is received by the listener, while comprehensibility is how easy or hard it is for the listener to understand your message.
Contrary to popular belief, having a noticeable accent doesn’t necessarily hinder communication. Research suggests that accent has little to do with how well your message is understood. This revelation shifts the focus from accent reduction to enhancing intelligibility and comprehensibility. After all, what’s the use of reducing your accent if it doesn’t make you more understandable?
Communication is a two-way street, involving not just the speaker but also the listener. When a listener has to work too hard to understand, it leads to cognitive overload. This mental strain can cause the listener to miss the message or even disengage from the conversation. That’s why ensuring your message is easily intelligible and comprehensible is crucial for effective communication.
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