You May Never Have a Fluent Accent, and That’s Okay

I often meet students who wish to speak ‘fluently’. That’s fine, it is good to have high goals, but you need to understand that ‘perfect’ does not exist. ‘Perfect’ is just an idea, and it may not even be a good idea.

Allow me to explain what I mean.

First, let me tell you about people in England. England is the home of the English language, what does it mean to speak ‘perfect’ English in England? The truth is, there are at least 40 different accents (dialects) in the UK alone. In the US there are over 24 regional dialects, plus all the different accents in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland… All native English speaking countries.

When you say you wish to speak ‘fluent’ English, fluent to who? Depending on where people come from in the world there are hundreds of different fluent accents and dialects.

It would be strange for you to speak with an American accent without having lived in America, just like it would be very surprising for an American to speak with a perfect Japanese accent without having lived in Japan.

Of course I always correct my students when they pronounce words wrong. But it is very important to understand: there is a big difference between pronouncing words incorrectly, and pronouncing words with an accent.

The individual accent of each person I work with tells the story of their own unique experience.

In Tokyo many people want to speak Japanese with the same neutral accent, but imagine how boring it would be if everyone sounded the same!

I have a Japanese student who is a professional singer and lives in Germany studying native Lied singing, she has a strong German accent which reflects her study and practice. To have a young Japanese lady speak English with a beautiful German accent is amazing!

I have another Japanese student who was previously in a relationship with an Indian gentleman, she now speaks with an Indian accent, which is also a very beautiful accent to listen to.

I speak the Queen’s English, born and raised just outside London I have a very neutral accent, I speak “BBC English” from the very heart of England.

I will always correct my student’s mistakes and encourage them to speak as clearly as possible, but I also understand that everyone has a unique voice and a unique experience in life.

You may not think it, but having a ‘Japanese English’ accent also has its own unique charm!

Of course being born and raised in Japan, you think it is normal. But people around the world think of Japan as an exotic and interesting country, just like you may think of Ireland or France as exotic and interesting countries.

It is possible to speak with your own unique accent, whilst also trying to improve your pronunciation and speak more clearly, you can do both!

I encourage you; please take pride in your own voice and the accent you have developed from the life you have lived, and at the same time please continue to work hard at improving your English.

We can all enjoy the unique sounds of each person’s individual voice!

- Lewis B.

If you would like to check your pronunciation and speak with a clearer and easier to understand accent, please book a counseling lesson and we can discuss how to improve your English today.

I look forward to speaking with you soon!