5 Questions
Do all native speakers of English speak the language in the same way?
No, no two native speakers of English speak it alike.
What is the author's confession regarding his own speech?
The author confesses that he does not speak English in the same way as others and that nobody does.
What feedback does the author receive from his wife about his speech at home?
His wife tells him 'Don't mumble; and don't turn your head away when you speak.'
What is the author's primary consideration when speaking at home?
The author's primary consideration when speaking at home is that his wife is sitting within six feet of him at breakfast.
Why does the author speak differently when addressing a large audience compared to when speaking to his wife at home?
The author speaks differently in order to ensure that every word is heard distinctly at the far end of large halls when addressing a large audience.
Study Notes
Variations in English Speech
- No two native speakers of English speak it alike, with each individual having their unique way of speaking.
Public Speaking vs. Private Conversation
- When speaking to a large audience, a speaker needs to enunciate carefully to be heard clearly by thousands of people.
- In contrast, when speaking at home, a person tends to be more careless with their speech, not putting in as much effort to enunciate clearly.
- The way a person speaks changes depending on the context and audience, such as speaking more clearly in public and more casually at home.
Personal Experience
- The speaker adapts their speech depending on the situation, speaking more carefully when addressing a large audience and more casually when speaking to their wife at home.
- The speaker's wife often has trouble understanding them when they speak at home, asking them to speak more clearly and not turn their head away when speaking.
Test your understanding of spoken English with this quiz. Explore the diversity of English accents and dialects as you answer questions about the variation in pronunciation and speech patterns.
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