Principles and Strategies Behind Successful Dialect Modification and Accent Reduction Among Ethnocultural Groups

Dr. Harold Mitchell Dr. Tina T. Smith Tennessee State University

What is Communication?

Communication is:

The transmission and reception of information among persons An active process Verbal (speech) Nonverbal (gestures, facial expressions, etc.)

What is Communication?

Communication has paralinguistic cues and is an interaction between two or more people.

What is Communication?

Communication can occur through many mediums such as: Telephone The Radio The Television The Newspaper The Computer

Components of Verbal Communication

Sender (Person talking)

Message (Conversation)

Receiver (Listener/Decoder)

Setting (Interaction Location)

Components of Verbal Communication

Sender (Person talking)

Message (Conversation)

Receiver (Listener/Decoder)

Setting (Interaction Location)

Components of Nonverbal Communication

Prosody
(Pitch, Duration, Loudness, Rhythm)

Kinesics
(Visual Signals, Eyes, Gestures, Hands)

Proxemics
(Social Space)

Paralanguage
(Emotions, pitch, rate of speech, volume)

Other Components of Nonverbal Communication

Nonlinguistic Cues (Gestures, Body Language,

Facial Expressions, Head and Body Movement)

Metalinguistic Cues (Ability to talk about, analyze,

and judge language)

What Makes a Communicator Effective?

Speaking and expressing your thoughts and feelings in a clear and non-defensive manner. Being an active listener by using both verbal (un huh) and nonverbal skills (leaning forward) Being aware of your body language and what it communicates to others. Learning to code-switch in different professional versus social settings.

Example from using African American English to Standard American English when appropriate.

What is a Dialect?

A dialect is a variation of a language. There are many different dialects Dialects usually differ grammatically and/or phonologically from what is considered the standard language.

Both vowel and consonant production may differ Suprasegmental features may differ

What is Accent Reduction?

Accent reduction occurs when the speaker changes his or her speech production (either consonants or vowels), suprasegmental features, or grammatical features to become more similar to the standard language.

Developing Effective Oral Communication

The purpose of this presentation is to review strategies that one can use to code switch and/or to improve the oral component of communication by focusing on a speakers:

Articulation

The manner in which the speaker produces sounds. The manner in which the speaker uses sentence structure, wording endings, and vocabulary. The pitch, loudness, and quality of a speakers voice.

Grammar Voice

The Influence of Culture on Communication

Voice, articulation, and grammar have cultural influences. For example:

African American English speakers use different phonological and grammatical features than do Standard American English speakers.

NOTE: Speaking a dialect does not mean that a person is not an effective communicator. However, learning to code switch is an important skill depending on the environment in which the person is communicating.

Phonological Features of AAE

/l/ omitted (aways) /r/ omitted (doah) f/th (teef for teeth) d/th (dis for this) v/th (breave for breathe) Cluster reduction (des for desk)

Metathesis (aks for axe) I/E (pin for pen) Deletion of final consonants (ba for bad) n/ng (walkin for walking) b/v (bes for vest)

Grammatical Features of AAE

Omission of: Noun possessive Noun plural Third person singular Is and are Have Past tense endings

Subject-verb agreement Multiple negatives (dont have no more) Distributive be At at the end of where questions Additional auxiliaries Do/does

Social Dialects

In this global society, people are seeking to learn a standard dialect with the following features:

Clear articulation of vowels, consonants, and diphthongs Accurate pronunciation of words Placement of stress on the correct syllable Use of vocabulary words to express acceptable meanings.

Fundamental Facts About Articulation

Each sound of Standard American English is produced differently. Each person will make a slightly different articulatory adjustment to produce the same sound. Articulation of any sound is affected by the sounds that precede and follow it.

Identify an American Accent

www.gotoquiz.com/what_american_accent_do_you_ have

Fundamental Facts About Articulation

Since articulation is a physical and muscular activity, the ability to move fluidly and adroitly from one position to another is extremely important for clarity and accuracy. Person will vary their articulatory positions under different emotional states and social situations.

Improving Articulation: Three Conditions To Meet

Is my articulation (diction) up to the standard of my own expectations?

Regarding articulation, are there any sounds or sound combinations that need improvement?
Three conditions must be fulfilled to articulate clearly:

The sound must be accurately formed. The sound must be sufficiently supported by the breath. The sound must be completely finished.

Accurate Sound Production

Learn the characteristics of the sound

What articulators are used to produce the sound?

Lips, teeth, tongue, gum ridge, hard palate, soft palate, glottis Is the airflow stopped then released (e.g. /p/, /t/, /g/) Is the airflow continuous (e.g. /s/, /f/, /th/) With vocal fold vibration (e.g. /b/) Without vocal fold vibration (e.g. /k)

What is the manner of airflow?

Is the sound voiced or unvoiced?

Articulation Practice

Watch yourself in the mirror Practice for short periods several times per day. Relax Breathe deeply and abdominally Concentrate on vocal efficiency Read aloud slowly Repeat difficult words and phrases several times Check with a competent listener Let practice become a habit

Sufficient Breath Support

To produce normal speech, air must be exhaled. To convert airflow into sounds, the breath stream must be strong enough to withstand friction, redirection, and stoppage. Strength and accuracy in the use of the respiratory system are part of the skills that lead to clear articulation.

Completeness

One of the most noticeable articulation problems is incompleteness (failing to produce all of the sounds in a word.

For example, sounds such as t, d, k, and g when produced in words require an audible explosion of air. Say the following words:

Bat Bed Cook Log

Articulation Improvement: Illustrative Sites

http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics

Allows you to see the articulators for all consonant sounds to practice place, manner, and voice. Also, allows you to practice each sound production in isolation and in words.

Articulation Improvement: Illustrative Sites

www.manythings.org/lar/

The listen and repeat machine- provides the person with different exercises each day to improve intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation.

Articulation Improvement: Illustrative Sites

www.MNSU.edu/comdis/phonetics/phonetics .com My Vowel Practice Helps you learn how to:

Pronounce words and sentences loaded with American English Vowels

Front vowels Mid-vowels Back vowels Diphthongs

How to Become an Effective Communicator

Know your Audience. Know your Material. Structure your Presentation. Practice your Delivery. Prepare for the Delivery. Calm Yourself from Nervousness.

How to Become an Effective Communicator

Wear a Winning Smile. Be open and Confident.

Be Yourself.

How to Become An Effective Communicator

Be Positive. Be Courteous and Attentive