native tongue

L: we're going to museum (myusum) tomorrow.
Me: say that again?
L: tomor....
Me: no, say museum (myu-si-yum) again
L: museum (myusum)
Me: is that the right way to pronounce it?
L: you said it right, but when we're talking casually I dont have to say "we are going to mu-se-um"......

What can I say!

English is not the lingua franca in the Philippines, though it's widely use in schools and offices. Commonly, accents are not a problem and there is no need to correct them as long as it doesn't block the smooth flow of conversation. It should not be a source of worry as long as the speakers are able to express themselves. True, in job interviews applicants are evaluated as to the way they speak english, especially in a field where an english 'twang' is necessary. This is the case where globalization is concerned.

When I first came to the US, I had a hard time understanding the native speakers, with their deep accent. The reverse was also true. In time I learned to improve my english ability and pronunciation. Not that that I perfected it completely, but there was a big improvement! I think it's the process of learning and adapting. It's not like learning the hard way, just some overhauling :)

We are taught English in schools but some teachers, especially in public schools, don't have the proper diction (accent, intonation, enunciation) to teach students how to say English words correctly. I remember my English 101. We were asked to recite "Oh, captain! My captain!" Did the teacher bother to correct us? No! So we all said cap-teyn, instead of cap-ten. Did anybody corrected me when I said ti-ye-ter instead of di-ter (the'a-ter)? I guess it's the same as the way we pronounce tagalog words - "ika ng aking guro eh - kung anong baybay siyang bigkas." Very similar to Spanish (huh?). Student's don't consider it important, but once out of school, that's when the competitions starts. It's pitiful to listen to one who has difficulty pronouncing even simple English words.

It's a different story here in Korea. While they have advanced technology, they are behind in speaking english. There is a big language barrier in this country. Here in the small town where we live right now, not even a single person can speak english. Not even in a bank, stores, or other stablishments. We're lucky to find someone who can give us driving instructions, whenever we're lost. Many Koreans are trying hard to learn english and the price they pay is high. They have to pay big money for a native speaker to come here and teach them english. We predict it will take decades before Korea becomes an English speaking country. It will be a while before there's a new generation of an English speakers.

Come to think of it, in the Philippines english is first taught at the age of toddlers. Mother's ask questions such as, "What is your name?" and "How old are you?", but did we learn to pronounce it properly? I don't think so. Children answer the question with thier names, and hold up their hands to show their ages.

I guess no matter what we learn in school, or how many books we read, we'll always be filipinos who speak Philippine english and not American english, or British english, and so on..