Accent and Effective Communication
Chloe Nina Ballesteros
No matter how good we are at what we do in this customer service oriented trade, nothing will come out of our efforts if we cannot communicate effectively. Like it or not, all of us must know how to communicate in English. English is the language that is universally understood in the field that we are in. In this multi-cultural community, it is inevitable to encounter customers, colleagues, bosses, and clients who do not share our native tongue, thus, English will connect the dots.
For reasons that are deeply rooted in culture and norms, a lot of us are hesitant to speak in English in the workplace. It must be realised that communicating effectively in English doesn’t rely on accent. We can convey our messages effectively regardless of whether our regional accent is obvious or not. Our aim should be that we ‘reduce’ our accent a little bit so as not to confuse. It is not necessary that we immitate a certain accent of English (American or British accents, for instance) to be considered effective. A French classical author once said that “the accent of one’s birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as well as in one’s speech.” In learning English as a second language, therefore, one must focus more on learning how to put words together correctly and how to pronounce individual sounds and put them together, than focus on how to sound like a native speaker, because the latter is not possible unless the learner exposes him/herself in the culture of that native speaker for an indeterminable length of time.
Our accents may give away our birthplace but this should not be a hindrance for us to try and learn how to communicate in English following grammar rules and correct pronunciation. English can be learned. At the moment, we may be speaking and writing it with a couple of grammatical and pronunciation errors here and there, but at the end of the day it’s better than telling people that we can’t speak nor write in the language. Isn’t it frustrating to tell someone that you can’t help not because you don’t know how but because you can’t find words to explain yourself? Through constant practice and continuous learning, we will all get there eventually. We will all be competent communicators in English if only we open our minds and begin the learning process no later than NOW. How? Speaking only in English in the workplace is one small step that we can all take that will allow us to practice conversing in English. Another way is to expose ourselves more to English reading materials and TV programmes like CNN and BBC. If there is a chance, it will also help to attend courses that teach English as a second language. English is no more intimidating to learn than our own native languages. Besides, the aim of our use of English is to be understood and to be more effective in our respective designations, and not to sound posh or grand.
In conclusion, it is best to quote the African writer, Chinua Achebe in one of his interviews:
So my answer to the question: Can an African ever learn English well enough to be able to use it effectively in creative writing? Is certainly yes. If on the other hand you ask: Can he ever learn to use it as a native speaker? I should say. I hope not. It is neither necessary nor desirable for him to be able to do so. The price a world language must be prepared to pay is submission to many different kinds of use. The African writer should aim to use English in a way that brings out his message best without altering the language to the extent that its value as a medium of international exchange will be lost. He should aim at fashioning out an English which is at once universal and able to carry out his peculiar experience.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
comment to my lil sis’ blog
August 25th, 2009 by wingardium
on 26 Aug 2009 at 2:21 am
1
Ate
Be love lessons from ate:
1. Never let him be your boss, your only boss should be yourself.
2. Never put your life on hold just because you’re waiting for him to grow up.
3. A respectable man will always want to be with a woman who will never let anybody, including himself, walk all over her. If he’s being a jerk, put him in his place gracefully.
4. Action speaks better than words. Don’t say you’ve moved on. Show it through actions. If you feel you were disrespected, don’t nag, just walk away.
5. Never lose your rhythm in life be. I mean, never let go of things you’ve always loved in the first place, like friends, hobbies, routines, just so you can accommodate him. If you do this, you’ll create a void in your life and then you will become needy and expect him to fill in the void.
6. Regret is a waste of time, so never start anything that you know from the very beginning is doomed to be a disaster.
7. Give only what is reciprocated. Never give your all if you feel you’re just given very little.
8. Don’t be “too nice” because you’ll be taken for granted.
9. The only person that you should believe in is yourself. You will feel it if you are being treated badly. If you feel so, don’t try to make excuses for him. You just walk away with your head held high.
10. You deserve nothing but the best, so if you are given anything less than the best, don’t settle.
Di to galing sa quotes or texts. Lahat to be based on experience kaya believe me, okay?
love you lil sis!
August 25th, 2009 by wingardium
on 26 Aug 2009 at 2:21 am
1
Ate
Be love lessons from ate:
1. Never let him be your boss, your only boss should be yourself.
2. Never put your life on hold just because you’re waiting for him to grow up.
3. A respectable man will always want to be with a woman who will never let anybody, including himself, walk all over her. If he’s being a jerk, put him in his place gracefully.
4. Action speaks better than words. Don’t say you’ve moved on. Show it through actions. If you feel you were disrespected, don’t nag, just walk away.
5. Never lose your rhythm in life be. I mean, never let go of things you’ve always loved in the first place, like friends, hobbies, routines, just so you can accommodate him. If you do this, you’ll create a void in your life and then you will become needy and expect him to fill in the void.
6. Regret is a waste of time, so never start anything that you know from the very beginning is doomed to be a disaster.
7. Give only what is reciprocated. Never give your all if you feel you’re just given very little.
8. Don’t be “too nice” because you’ll be taken for granted.
9. The only person that you should believe in is yourself. You will feel it if you are being treated badly. If you feel so, don’t try to make excuses for him. You just walk away with your head held high.
10. You deserve nothing but the best, so if you are given anything less than the best, don’t settle.
Di to galing sa quotes or texts. Lahat to be based on experience kaya believe me, okay?
love you lil sis!
I choose to be a teacher no matter what they say because…
July 8th, 2009 by wingardium
1. Through teaching, I learn.
2. I get to meet a lot of interesting people.
3. I get to share whatever knowledge and skill I have.
4. I love seeing people maximise their potentials.
5. There are no words to explain the fulfillment that I get when I see my students/trainees improve and become better.
6. I’m happy to know that when my multinational trainees are in my class, there are no race issues, everyone is helping everyone else, and cultural diversity is no hindrance to make friends.
7. When my students/trainees become successful in their respective careers, they never fail to let me know about their achievements. I feel that their successes are mine too.
8. I feel so good when I know through the look on my students/trainees’ faces that they have realised the value of continuous learning no matter how old they already are.
9. I want to help people know that there is no end to self-improvement and self-discovery.
10. I want my students/trainees know that they can always be better than what they already are and that it’s never too late to be the best that they can be.
11. I get to understand different cultures and ways of life.
12. I get to travel.
13. I like the ambiance of a classroom whether it is in the school setting or company setting. There is something about a classroom that relaxes me. I feel that it’s my niche.
14. Teaching keeps me young at heart and upbeat.
15. I know that when I become old and gray, I will be happy to look back at my younger years and smile because I did what I had to do.
16. I love to read and talk about what I have read.
17. In a classroom everyone tries his/er best to say and do things that make sense and so you hear the best opinions and ideals in a classroom.
18. Creative juices flow in classes.
19. I learn about life through teaching.
20. I want to be remembered as someone who did something to encourage learning.
July 8th, 2009 by wingardium
1. Through teaching, I learn.
2. I get to meet a lot of interesting people.
3. I get to share whatever knowledge and skill I have.
4. I love seeing people maximise their potentials.
5. There are no words to explain the fulfillment that I get when I see my students/trainees improve and become better.
6. I’m happy to know that when my multinational trainees are in my class, there are no race issues, everyone is helping everyone else, and cultural diversity is no hindrance to make friends.
7. When my students/trainees become successful in their respective careers, they never fail to let me know about their achievements. I feel that their successes are mine too.
8. I feel so good when I know through the look on my students/trainees’ faces that they have realised the value of continuous learning no matter how old they already are.
9. I want to help people know that there is no end to self-improvement and self-discovery.
10. I want my students/trainees know that they can always be better than what they already are and that it’s never too late to be the best that they can be.
11. I get to understand different cultures and ways of life.
12. I get to travel.
13. I like the ambiance of a classroom whether it is in the school setting or company setting. There is something about a classroom that relaxes me. I feel that it’s my niche.
14. Teaching keeps me young at heart and upbeat.
15. I know that when I become old and gray, I will be happy to look back at my younger years and smile because I did what I had to do.
16. I love to read and talk about what I have read.
17. In a classroom everyone tries his/er best to say and do things that make sense and so you hear the best opinions and ideals in a classroom.
18. Creative juices flow in classes.
19. I learn about life through teaching.
20. I want to be remembered as someone who did something to encourage learning.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
(2/25/09)
I'll be gone for a little while (sticky note messages)
Better and safer to leave in the morning, not tonight. Get up at 5am and not a minute later. Believe me; you’ll make it to the office on time.
I know they’re your favorite pair but they need a date with the machine, you’ll look equally dashing in the others, trust me.
You’re not fat. You’re fine the way you are. I don’t mean you should gain more weight though, okay?
Grow your collection of memories. The little printouts are okay.
Comma first before the close quotation mark
Take the carpet to the cleaners, one of these days.
Don’t let them get used to you doing everything in the office. It’s okay to speak out sometimes. Just be tactful.
It’s not girly to get a facial once in a while. Don’t forget to get yours, okay?
When there’s a chance, grow a beard and a mustache. Hehe…
No, you’re not always right but I’m always on your side. I don’t mind losing with you.
It won’t kill you if you say ‘sorry’. Say it when you know you should.
It’s nice that you wash the dishes and refill the water containers when no one asks you to. Keep this up.
Thank you for eating whatever I cook even if they taste bad sometimes.
Don’t be scared to hold them. I’m sure they enjoy the playtimes with you. Make them laugh. Be part of their lives. Teach them when you can. Protect them. They are your princesses for now.
I’m sorry I read your messages and watched that video.
I won’t take it against you if we lost touch.
I’ll miss you big time!
Take care of yourself…
I'll be gone for a little while (sticky note messages)
Better and safer to leave in the morning, not tonight. Get up at 5am and not a minute later. Believe me; you’ll make it to the office on time.
I know they’re your favorite pair but they need a date with the machine, you’ll look equally dashing in the others, trust me.
You’re not fat. You’re fine the way you are. I don’t mean you should gain more weight though, okay?
Grow your collection of memories. The little printouts are okay.
Comma first before the close quotation mark
Take the carpet to the cleaners, one of these days.
Don’t let them get used to you doing everything in the office. It’s okay to speak out sometimes. Just be tactful.
It’s not girly to get a facial once in a while. Don’t forget to get yours, okay?
When there’s a chance, grow a beard and a mustache. Hehe…
No, you’re not always right but I’m always on your side. I don’t mind losing with you.
It won’t kill you if you say ‘sorry’. Say it when you know you should.
It’s nice that you wash the dishes and refill the water containers when no one asks you to. Keep this up.
Thank you for eating whatever I cook even if they taste bad sometimes.
Don’t be scared to hold them. I’m sure they enjoy the playtimes with you. Make them laugh. Be part of their lives. Teach them when you can. Protect them. They are your princesses for now.
I’m sorry I read your messages and watched that video.
I won’t take it against you if we lost touch.
I’ll miss you big time!
Take care of yourself…
(2/25/09)
Once and for all
I’ll do what I got to do
Fly to that foreign land
Seize the opportunity
Fulfill that dream of a better life
It’s true, what they say
Not all desires are rational
I’ll do what I got to do
What I want will have to wait
I have, however, come to terms
With Reality, It’s never set
Things happen, people forget
Some love cannot wait
Before Time casts its spell
Once and for all, I’d like to say
Don’t wait, but know that
Forget, I will never
Once and for all
I’ll do what I got to do
Fly to that foreign land
Seize the opportunity
Fulfill that dream of a better life
It’s true, what they say
Not all desires are rational
I’ll do what I got to do
What I want will have to wait
I have, however, come to terms
With Reality, It’s never set
Things happen, people forget
Some love cannot wait
Before Time casts its spell
Once and for all, I’d like to say
Don’t wait, but know that
Forget, I will never
(2/5/09)
And so it happens...
So love evolves. It's good to have finally realized this. At least, finally I'm done feeling stuck in a situation that left me wanting for more. I have finally accepted the fact that sometimes things are just the way they are. I've gone from loving and wanting to be loved in return, to loving and wanting to be exclusively loved, to loving and wanting to be loved the same way I love, and finally to loving without wanting anything in return except for that person to be happy. And this time, I mean it. I am now ready to let go and be happy myself. And I wish nothing for him but to feel that feeling of unconditional love that I felt for him and to receive it from the same person that he'll feel this way for.
I know it's been a long time since I've updated my blog. A lot of things happened from the time I last posted an article. Good things, bad. Heartaches, love. Friendships. Coming and going. But, most importantly, I have come to terms with myself.
So happiness is really not something that you get from someone else. I finally get this. Happiness is a state of being that only you can make happen for yourself. I am determined to find this.
And so it happens...
So love evolves. It's good to have finally realized this. At least, finally I'm done feeling stuck in a situation that left me wanting for more. I have finally accepted the fact that sometimes things are just the way they are. I've gone from loving and wanting to be loved in return, to loving and wanting to be exclusively loved, to loving and wanting to be loved the same way I love, and finally to loving without wanting anything in return except for that person to be happy. And this time, I mean it. I am now ready to let go and be happy myself. And I wish nothing for him but to feel that feeling of unconditional love that I felt for him and to receive it from the same person that he'll feel this way for.
I know it's been a long time since I've updated my blog. A lot of things happened from the time I last posted an article. Good things, bad. Heartaches, love. Friendships. Coming and going. But, most importantly, I have come to terms with myself.
So happiness is really not something that you get from someone else. I finally get this. Happiness is a state of being that only you can make happen for yourself. I am determined to find this.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
"Tonight I Can Write" -- Pablo Neruda
Isinalin sa Wikang Tagalog ni Chloe Nina L. Ballesteros
Maisusulat Ko Ngayong Gabi
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng luha't hinagpis
Tulad ng, "Ang gabi'y natatanglawan ng mga bituing nangungulila, nilalamig; Hinahaplos ng hanging malumanay, umaawit."
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng hapis at lungkot
Wagas ko siyang inibig, may minsang inibig din niya ako
Sa mga gabing tulad nito yakap ko siya't hinahagkan.
Niyayakap, hinahagkan, paulit-ulit...
Sa lilim ng itim na kumot na wari'y walang dulo,
Walang katapusan
Wagas niya akong inibig, may minsang inibig ko rin siya.
Paanong hindi ka matatangay ng alon ng kanyang mga mata.
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng walang pagsidlang kalungkutan.
Isiping wala siya sa'king piling. Damhin na kailanma'y 'di na magbabalik.
Dingging ang ulilang gabi, na higit pang binalot ng kahungkagan nang siya'y lumisan.
At ang dula ng taludtod ay maglalandas sa kaluluwa tulad ng hamog sa damuhan.
Anong halaga ng limiing hindi siya mapanitili ng aking pag-ibig.
Ang gabi'y puno ng tala't bituin samantalang wala siya sa aking piling.
Wakas. Tangay ng hangin ang himig mula sa malayo. Sa dako palayo.
Bahagi ng aking kaluluwa'y dinuyan ng hangin kasabay ng kanyang paglisan.
Sinubukan siyang hanapin ng aking mga mata tila upang akayin siya palapit.
Kinapa siya ng aking puso at wala siya sa aking piling.
Ang kakahuyan ay nakakanlaong sa bisig ng gabi.
Walang nagbago.
Kami, nang mga panahong iyon ay 'di na tulad ng nakaraan.
Pawang mga estranghero sa isa't isa.
Ang aking pag-ibig ay nagmaliw, iyan ay tiyak, subalit labis ko siyang minahal.
Sinubukang sumpungin ng aking tinig ang hanging dadama sa kanyang pandinig.
Wakas. Siya ay magiging pag-aari ng iba. Tulad noong bago ko siya mahagkan.
Ang kanyang tinig, ang kanyang katawan. Ang kanyang nangungusap na mata.
Ang aking pag-ibig ay nagmaliw, iyan ay tiyak, subalit maaaring mahal ko siya.
Napakadaling magliyab ng pag-ibig, napakatagal humupa ng usok na kaakibat ng limot.
Sapagkat sa mga gabing tulad nito ay yakap ko siya't hinahagkan
Kaluluwa ko'y nangulila mula nang siya'y mawala.
Kahit ito na ang huling sakit at dusang kanyang ipadarama.
At ang mga ito ang huling taludtod na isusulat ko para sa kanya.
Isinalin sa Wikang Tagalog ni Chloe Nina L. Ballesteros
Maisusulat Ko Ngayong Gabi
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng luha't hinagpis
Tulad ng, "Ang gabi'y natatanglawan ng mga bituing nangungulila, nilalamig; Hinahaplos ng hanging malumanay, umaawit."
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng hapis at lungkot
Wagas ko siyang inibig, may minsang inibig din niya ako
Sa mga gabing tulad nito yakap ko siya't hinahagkan.
Niyayakap, hinahagkan, paulit-ulit...
Sa lilim ng itim na kumot na wari'y walang dulo,
Walang katapusan
Wagas niya akong inibig, may minsang inibig ko rin siya.
Paanong hindi ka matatangay ng alon ng kanyang mga mata.
Ngayong gabi'y maisusulat ko, taludtod ng walang pagsidlang kalungkutan.
Isiping wala siya sa'king piling. Damhin na kailanma'y 'di na magbabalik.
Dingging ang ulilang gabi, na higit pang binalot ng kahungkagan nang siya'y lumisan.
At ang dula ng taludtod ay maglalandas sa kaluluwa tulad ng hamog sa damuhan.
Anong halaga ng limiing hindi siya mapanitili ng aking pag-ibig.
Ang gabi'y puno ng tala't bituin samantalang wala siya sa aking piling.
Wakas. Tangay ng hangin ang himig mula sa malayo. Sa dako palayo.
Bahagi ng aking kaluluwa'y dinuyan ng hangin kasabay ng kanyang paglisan.
Sinubukan siyang hanapin ng aking mga mata tila upang akayin siya palapit.
Kinapa siya ng aking puso at wala siya sa aking piling.
Ang kakahuyan ay nakakanlaong sa bisig ng gabi.
Walang nagbago.
Kami, nang mga panahong iyon ay 'di na tulad ng nakaraan.
Pawang mga estranghero sa isa't isa.
Ang aking pag-ibig ay nagmaliw, iyan ay tiyak, subalit labis ko siyang minahal.
Sinubukang sumpungin ng aking tinig ang hanging dadama sa kanyang pandinig.
Wakas. Siya ay magiging pag-aari ng iba. Tulad noong bago ko siya mahagkan.
Ang kanyang tinig, ang kanyang katawan. Ang kanyang nangungusap na mata.
Ang aking pag-ibig ay nagmaliw, iyan ay tiyak, subalit maaaring mahal ko siya.
Napakadaling magliyab ng pag-ibig, napakatagal humupa ng usok na kaakibat ng limot.
Sapagkat sa mga gabing tulad nito ay yakap ko siya't hinahagkan
Kaluluwa ko'y nangulila mula nang siya'y mawala.
Kahit ito na ang huling sakit at dusang kanyang ipadarama.
At ang mga ito ang huling taludtod na isusulat ko para sa kanya.
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