Accent Neutralization or Reduction Overview

As the global marketplace expands, a new branch of English learning related to ESL has become very intriguing. This field is often called Accent Neutralization or Accent Reduction. The main purpose of accent neutralization/reduction is to help proficient English speakers speak with a more North American or British accent. The main cause of this trend towards accent neutralization/reduction is the demand created by outsourcing. Outsourcing is generally defined as the transfer of components or large segments of an organizations internal infrastructure, staff, processes, or applications to an external resource. The trend is towards outsourcing to countries where this work can be done at lower cost to the company. One of the most popular countries for outsourcing is India due to its wealth of highly educated English speakers. Accent neutralization and accent reduction comes into play when these workers speak to North Americans who have difficulties understanding their accents. Of course, the English being spoken is excellent; the problem that arises is that many customers have difficulties understanding accents other than their own, hence accent neutralization or reduction becoming important for customer satisfaction. Some find this trend distasteful. However, reading the fascinating book entitled The World is Flat by Thomas L Friedman, I came across the following passage that describes the general attitude towards accent modification: ... before you disparage it, you have to taste just how hungry these kids are to escape the lower end of the middle class and move up. If a little accent modification is the price they have to pay to jump a rung of the ladder, then so be it—they say. As more and more tasks are outsourced, the more important standard North American English becomes to the young employees excitedly taking advantage of the new opportunities modern telecommunications and broadband access provide. Common Techniques and Goals of Accent Neutralization Here are some of the common focus areas for accent neutralization or accent reduction classes: Changing speech patternsVoice productionIntonation and rhythmTaking on a new North American personality The stated goals of many of these programs include: Changing regional accents to increase personal and professional opportunitiesEngaging in extensive conversations, presentations, and telephone callsBecoming more confident and effective, both socially and professionallyImproving the professional image of your companyAchieving a greater understanding from listeners To begin exploring accent reduction, AccentSchool provides free software to help students understand the fundamentals of why they have an accent and what they can do to achieve their specific accent modification goals.

Let Every Nation Know - Worksheet Answers - 1841 Words

Victor Mateo HIST 111 Prof. Sleeper â€Å"Let Every Nation Know† Worksheet 1. Had JFK not gotten into politics, he would have continued a career in journalism (pg. 5). In 1945, he was hired to cover the UN conference in San Francisco by the Chicago Herald-American. A school friend even said his temperament was better suited for writing (pg4). After his plane exploded over the English Chanel, JFK was devastated. Symbols changed from a blue star to gold so everyone will know there was a loss. To help with his grief, JFK wrote a memorial book called â€Å"As We Remember Joe†; it was later privately published. 2. JFK had entered the campaign â€Å"too late† in today’s political sphere, but in the 1960’s it was simple late but doable. His†¦show more content†¦Take a look at the current regime; the press lift them up while disregarding the damage (economically and socially) that results from their policies. 8. JFK was able to garner the support of the country because he committed the nation to achieving the goal of landing on the moon and returning safely within the decade. He linked this to the nation’s prestige. This assertion would be the challenge to the nation that the nation had been longing for. Both sides of the house and senate were united on this singular goal. In addition to wanting to win the space race, JFK also requested to support allies fighting communism by supplying them with our troops. I think it was a combination of both his charisma and the climate of current events that resulted in such acceptance (pg. 113-119). 9. JFK knew that one day history would remember the ‘60’s as â€Å"the beginning of a new age of discovery† (pg. 162). JFK also admired the boldness of this exploration. He viewed it as being â€Å"associated with great nations and visionary leaders.† Space was, and still is, the new frontier. Space was the new frontier not only for exploration, but for armed conflict as well. JFK sought to win control of space just as Britain won control of the Atlantic (pg. 162). In order to obtain this goal, it would require a lot of dedication from the American public, to include stopping undue work stoppages (strikes), hire materials and talent costs, and longer turnover time ofShow MoreRelatedNonverbal, Interpersonal, and Textual Communication Worksheet1097 Words   |  5 PagesUniversity of Phoenix Material Nonverbal, Interpersonal, and Textual Communication Worksheet Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated. Part 1 Look at the interactions between the individuals in the following photos and interpret what you think is being expressed through nonverbal communication. Describe the nonverbal cues that lead youRead MoreWk2 worksheet com100 r3 nonverbal textual communication worksheet week21794 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿University of Phoenix Material Nonverbal, Interpersonal, and Textual Communication Worksheet Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated. Part 1 Look at the interactions between the individuals in the following photos and interpret what you think is being expressed through nonverbal communication. Please describe the nonverbal cues that lead youRead MoreTEFL Assignment Answers23344 Words   |  94 Pageslanguage acquisition through (1.) speaking, (2.) listening, (3.) reading, and (4.) writing. These four (4) principles are stressed within this educational system; and I do plan on coupling that knowledge with classroom activities that limit my talk time. 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Personal Story Afraid of Forgetting Essay Example For Students

Personal Story Afraid of Forgetting Essay Growing up in Western Pennsylvania in the heart of steel country my father began working in the steel mills well before I was born. Dad was a hard worker, providing for our family the very best he could. The steel mills were not run like a typical 9-5 shirt and tie job. They ran twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. My father worked the night shift, meaning he worked from eleven at night until seven in the morning. Because he worked all night, he slept all day. I didnt really see much of him except for at dinner time, which was ALWAYS a family event. We would discuss our day, and how our school work was coming along. We would also discuss anything new that had happened, as long as it was appropriate dinner conversation. My parents believed those evening meals together were an important part of being a family. Mom was a stay at home mom all during our elementary, and Junior High School days. Wanting to be involved in our education, Mom was a PTA mom and was even PTA President for a few years at our Elementary School. Needless to say, she knew everyone, and everyone knew her. Getting away with being anything but a â€Å"good girl†, was impossible. Mom had me involved in the Girl Scouts, as well as the music program where I played the violin and the clarinet. Eventually, Mom started working around the time I was twelve or thirteen, just part time while my brother and I were in school. We still always had family dinners, and spent as much time as we could as a family. Summers were great! Hide and seek, whiffle ball, bike riding, and sleepovers were a must. I remember sitting out on the front porch with Dad listening to the baseball games on the radio. I wasnt a girly girl, but I was definitely not a tomboy either. Camping out in the tent was a big part of what made a lot of summer memories. My dad and brother were involved in Boy Scouts so they were always prepared and up for any kind of camping trip. It was a nice and relaxing way to spend family time. As fall approached, I would dread Sundays, knowing Dad would be parked in front of the television, watching football: The Pittsburgh Steelers, which is what our little town was all about. If there were any other teams, I never knew it, or heard anything about them. Then again, I never paid much attention. Back then, I never could understand how football was remotely entertaining. I would rather have been hiking through the woods or finding an outdoor activity to pass my time. I did, however, on rainy Sundays, sit with Dad to see what all this hoopla was about. Just to be a non-conformist, I decided I was going to root for a team OTHER than the home town favorite. What a rebel I thought I was! The San Francisco 49ers was my team of choice, although I couldnt tell you why I chose them, I just didnt want to be part of the â€Å"Steeler Nation,† as it is called. Dad was always a practical joker and because of that, April Fool’s Day was one of his favorite days of the year. Most of the time, his little practical jokes were pretty funny; but there were those times I just didnt get his weird sense of humor. I can remember one summer day when my dad had to repair something on the roof next to the chimney. My mom was cleaning and I had just come running in the house from a bike ride. Out of breath I quickly asked where my dad was, wanting him to inflate my bike tires for my next ride. No sooner had she said, â€Å"I dont know, on the roof I think,† I began to hear a faint cry of someone yelling, â€Å"HELP, HELP ME, HELP. † Panic set in and I instantly began screaming to Mom that Dad had fallen off the roof. I could feel the tears trickling down my cheeks and my heart was pounding out of my chest. I was frozen in place, I couldnt find my legs, and I stood there in sheer panic. My mother flew out the front door and within seconds I could hear her yell, â€Å"Youre not funny Richard! You scared the daylights out of us. † With a frown on her face, Mom walked through the front door, Dad following close behind, his head down, with his shoulders shaking up and down in uncontrollable laughter. As upset as I was, I wiped my tears, smiled at him telling him that he had a really sick sense of humor. He hugged me tight and apologized for my tears. I dont think he ever played another practical joke like that again. Of course he still kept up with his fake poop, vomit, snot, and anything else that would bring a laugh. It was what he lived for. It wasnt a stretch to find a fake finger, a whoopee cushion, or the infamous rubber snake lying around to scare some unsuspecting visitor. Our house was full of practical jokes. I knew this was something I was going to miss when I went out on my own. At eighteen I moved to Florida to attend college. I was excited about the prospect of being out on my own. Progressive Movement In America EssayI think everything stood still as I heard my brother say, â€Å"Tiffany, Dad had a heart attack! I felt my knees buckle, and that same feeling I had felt so many years ago when I thought Dad had fallen off the roof, flooded through me, but this time, I knew there was no practical joke behind it! The flight at three am to Pennsylvania couldnt go fast enough. Dad had made it through surgery, but no one knew the prognosis. The hour and a half drive from the airport to the hospital was full of emotion. I wanted to see him, but I was so afraid of what I would see when I did. I had been to this hospital so many times. I was born there, my daughter was born there, I was even a candy striper there, but walking through the doors of the hospital that day was different! The smell, the sounds, everything seemed to echo. As we walked into the ICU, I could feel the knot in my stomach get bigger and I knew the tears were only a blink away. I wanted to get to his room so badly, but I could feel myself slowing down with each step. As we stepped into his room, I could hear the monitors beeping and the sound of the ventilator as it slid up and down. My brother stood just inside the doorway, blocking the view I so desperately didnt want to see. As he hugged me I couldnt stop the flood of emotion that had been waiting just under my next breath, and the tears began to flow uncontrollably. Trying to compose myself as best I could, I squeezed his hand, and walked past him to stand at Dad’s bedside. So pale, so fragile, I don’t think I had ever seen my dad look so helpless before. As helpless as he looked, I felt even more helpless, because I knew there was nothing I could do for him. The machines, the IV’s, they seemed to consume him, and the room. I wanted to hug him, but was afraid to hurt him, so I kissed his forehead, held his hand, and whispered in his ear, â€Å"I love you Daddy. At that moment, I realized, that somewhere along the way, I HAD become, â€Å"Daddy’s Girl. † That realization brought back a flood of memories and made me ache to keep creating more. I wanted to continue our Sunday phone calls and our unspoken connection. I wanted my Daddy back! Please open your eyes Daddy, please wake up! It had been two days of waiting, and watching. It was a bad dream, right? It had to be, I was so confused, numb, the voices in the room seemed far away, a distant whisper. No brain activity? Lack of oxygen? Remove life support? I dont understand, you fixed his heart, you said it was strong now! Maybe if I close my eyes real tight, and count backwards from 10, I will wake up. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,†Tiffany! † 5, 4, â€Å"Tiffany! † â€Å"What? † I heard myself say softly as I opened my eyes to look at whoever was calling my name. â€Å"What do you think? † I was asked. â€Å"What do I think? † I repeated. â€Å"I think this is a nightmare! † My thoughts were scattered and I could feel my stomach tighten and suddenly I felt nauseous. Am I supposed to know what to do? Am I supposed to have some sort of epiphany? We were told he could breathe on his own but would have to be put on a feeding tube. We had the choice to put him into a long term care facility if we chose to. He would never open his eyes, he would never feed himself, and he would never know who we were. What was proposed was not living. To my family and me, that was not living; that was not what Dad would have wanted. He was a golfer, he was an outdoorsman, a practical joker, and he used to be FULL of life. The decision to remove all form of life support was heart wrenching. We knew it was the right thing for my dad, but I didnt like this feeling I had, the feeling like we were playing God. The next seven days in the Hospice Unit at the hospital were emotionally and physically draining. Watching a loved one, slowly slip away, isnt something I would wish on anyone. I dont think we, (my brother, Mom, and I) left Dad’s room for more than a few hours at a time. I would spend many hours holding his hand, talking to him, telling him how much I loved him, and how much I was going to miss his voice, his laugh, and most of all, his presence. On February 22, 2011, at around 5am, my Daddy took his last breath and my life changed forever. I can still hear his laughter and the sound of his voice. I am so afraid of afraid of forgetting!

Womens Rights in Afghanistan Essay Example

Womens Rights in Afghanistan Essay On September 27, 1996, the Taliban seized control of the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, and violently plunged the occupied territories of Afghanistan into a brutal state of gender apartheid in which women and girls have been stripped of their basic human rights(The Taliban Afghan Women 1).In 1997, Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanakzai acknowledged that repression of women was a political tool to consolidate power. Our current restrictions of women are necessary in order to bring the Afghan people under control, he said. We need these restrictions until people learn to obey the Taliban.(Afghanistans Women Today 1-2). The government of Afghanistan is waging a war upon women.The situation is getting so bad that one person in an editorial of the times compared the treatment of women there to the treatment of Jews in pre-Holocaust Poland (Barbara Mikkelson). The growing war in Afghanistan has further jeopardized the already precarious lives of Afghan women.For most of the past 25 years, Afghan women have suffered outrage upon outrage as political instability, armed conflict and violence washed over their rugged country. Millions of Afghan women, children and elderly have fled their homes. The current air strikes have worsened conditions, destroying roads and services already devastated by famine, earthquakes and three years of drought.(Afghanistans Women Today). Afghan women, who had been the majority of the countrys workforce and of its population, were barred from employment outside the home and prohibited from attending secondary school, driving vehicles or appearing in public without male escorts and the all-covering burqa.Women were placed under house arrest, deprived of health care and education, and made totally dependent upon male relatives, suffering beatings, sexual assault or even execution if they violated the bans(Afghanistan;s Women Today).