Is English a Soft or Harsh Language for Communication?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the perception of English as a "soft" versus "harsh" language for communication. Participants highlight that English pronunciation contains fewer hard sounds compared to high German, and the concept of a "soft voice" is subjective and varies by context and speaker. Accent reduction classes are mentioned as a means to achieve a more native-sounding English pronunciation. The conversation also touches on the phonetic differences between English and other languages, particularly regarding vowel and consonant articulation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of phonetics and phonology
  • Familiarity with accent reduction techniques
  • Knowledge of Standard English pronunciation
  • Awareness of regional dialects and their characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "phonetics and phonology" to understand sound production
  • Explore "accent reduction classes" for practical pronunciation improvement
  • Study "Standard English pronunciation" techniques for clarity
  • Investigate "regional dialects" and their phonetic variations
USEFUL FOR

Language learners, ESL teachers, linguists, and anyone interested in improving English pronunciation and understanding phonetic differences between languages.

  • #31
Is there a tendency in saying English that the back part of tongue is swollen?Example the audio in #20
 
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  • #32
I don't know what you mean by swollen. When producing vowels, you move the central part of the tongue to positions indicated on the charts. Wikipedia's article on vowels has excellent explanations which part of the tongue moves, including Roentgen pictures.
You'd move the tongue towards the back when pronouncing 'back' vowels. Those on the right-hand side of the graph. As you can see, both languages have such vowels (and French has more - but then again, it has more vowels overall).
 
  • #33
English is not a soft language. When it comes to communication, English is actually quite straightforward and direct. There is very little room for ambiguity, and most things are said exactly as they mean. This can be a good thing, as it eliminates confusion and miscommunication. However, it can also be seen as a negative trait, as it can make English seem harsh or blunt. In reality, though, English is just a language like any other, and it has its own quirks and idiosyncrasies. Those who learn to speak it fluently will find that it is a powerful tool for communication.
 
  • #34
mlakonsky said:
English is not a soft language. When it comes to communication, English is actually quite straightforward and direct. There is very little room for ambiguity, and most things are said exactly as they mean. This can be a good thing, as it eliminates confusion and miscommunication. However, it can also be seen as a negative trait, as it can make English seem harsh or blunt. In reality, though, English is just a language like any other, and it has its own quirks and idiosyncrasies. Those who learn to speak it fluently will find that it is a powerful tool for communication.
The English language has enough ways to let a person alter how something is expressed, so that what is expressed is actually very murky and imprecise.
 

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