2 Billion Voices: How to speak bad English perfectly | Heather Hansen | TEDxOdense

Summary

The speaker discusses how 'bad English' is embraced in global settings, allowing non-native speakers to contribute without fear of making mistakes. They argue that focusing on clarity and adaptability, rather than perfection in grammar and pronunciation, leads to better communication. While native English speakers often assume ownership of the language, the reality is that more people worldwide speak imperfect English. The speaker encourages listeners to focus on understanding diverse accents and communication styles, advocating for courses in accent recognition to promote global inclusivity and better communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embracing 'bad English' gives everyone a voice, promoting inclusivity and reducing fear of making mistakes.
• 🗣️ Language defines belonging; accents can reveal someone's outsider status even if they speak fluently.
• 🌍 Global communication requires adaptability in both speaking and listening, as cultures and languages vary greatly.
• 📉 Misunderstandings often increase when native English speakers join global conversations, contrary to popular belief.
• 🎯 English is no longer 'owned' by native speakers; it has become a global lingua franca shaped by all its users.
• 📚 Forcing non-native speakers to achieve perfect English, especially accent-free, can stifle creativity and participation.
• 🔄 Focusing on clarity and understanding, rather than idealized accents, is more effective in global communication.
• 🧩 Accents are a natural part of language learning, and with practice, listeners can learn to 'crack the code' and understand them.
• 🎶 Tone is crucial in communication, yet it often doesn't translate well across languages and cultures, leading to misunderstandings.
• 👂 We should prioritize accent recognition over accent reduction, appreciating the diversity of English spoken worldwide.

Q & A

What is the CEO's perspective on 'bad English'?

The CEO embraces 'bad English,' seeing it as a way to give everyone a voice in the company. They believe it allows people to speak up and share ideas without fear of making mistakes, as 'bad English' is considered good enough for communication.

How does the speaker feel about their own experience learning Danish?

The speaker initially learned Danish to fit in, but even after becoming fluent, their accent revealed that they didn't fully belong. This experience made them realize that language can create a sense of insider vs. outsider, even if one speaks fluently.

What advantage do native English speakers have in global business, according to the speaker?

Native English speakers have a clear advantage in global business because English is the global lingua franca. This gives them automatic ownership of worldwide communication, which many English speakers take for granted.

Why does the speaker criticize the traditional approach to teaching English?

The speaker criticizes traditional English teaching methods for focusing too much on perfection—correcting grammar, pronunciation, and forcing learners to speak 'proper' English. This approach overlooks the fact that many non-native speakers can communicate effectively with 'bad English.'

What surprising fact does the speaker share about global communication misunderstandings?

The speaker reveals that misunderstandings in global communication often increase when native English speakers are involved. This challenges the assumption that non-native speakers are the primary source of communication issues.

What is the key skill for global leaders in communication, according to the speaker?

Adaptability is the most important skill for global leaders in communication. Speakers need to adjust their language for easier understanding, and listeners must be open and flexible when hearing different types of English.

Why is it difficult to define 'global English'?

Global English is difficult to define because there is no single version of it. English varies greatly depending on the speakers' backgrounds, cultures, and the context in which it is spoken. What works in one setting may not be appropriate in another.

How can pronunciation impact clarity in global communication?

Certain sounds, like a crisp 'T' or a pronounced 'R,' can improve clarity for listeners. On the other hand, some sounds, like the 'th' sound, make little difference to understanding and can be substituted without affecting communication.

What is the speaker’s stance on accent reduction courses?

The speaker is critical of accent reduction courses, which they believe strip away people's identities. Instead, they advocate for accent recognition, where global leaders learn to appreciate and understand different accents rather than trying to mask them.

What is the speaker’s final message about 'bad English'?

The speaker encourages people to keep speaking up and sharing their ideas, even if they speak 'bad English.' As long as they can communicate and be understood, their 'bad English' is good enough, and it's more important to focus on understanding rather than perfection.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Embracing 'Bad English' for Global Communication

The CEO of a global automotive group humorously mentioned that 'bad English' is their company's global language. This approach allows everyone, even those less comfortable with English, to speak up without fear of mistakes. While the multi-billion-dollar English language industry promotes language perfection, this view acknowledges that communication isn't about strict adherence to rules but giving people the confidence to express themselves. Language, especially English, can define who fits in or remains an outsider. This desire to belong is why the speaker learned Danish but found that even speaking fluently didn't hide their non-native status, highlighting the deeper role of language in identity.

05:01

🌐 The Reality of Global English Miscommunication

The speaker reflects on how, despite being a native English speaker, they feel like an outsider on the global stage where English has become the lingua franca. They argue that instead of forcing two billion non-native speakers to conform to the 400 million native speakers, we should encourage native speakers to adapt to the global English landscape. Interestingly, studies show that communication issues arise more frequently when native English speakers enter conversations. This is because global English no longer belongs solely to its native speakers, and no one owns it anymore, marking a shift in global communication norms.

10:04

🎤 Adaptability: The Key to Global Communication

The speaker emphasizes adaptability in global communication, suggesting that it’s more important than having a perfect accent. People often approach the speaker wanting to 'fix' their accents, fearing judgment based on how they speak rather than their ideas. However, the speaker argues that these voices aren't broken. The true skill for leaders is to adapt to their listeners' needs and for listeners to make an effort to understand various forms of English. The problem with global English is that it cannot be defined or standardized—it varies greatly depending on the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the speakers involved.

15:07

🗣️ Clarity Over Accent in Global Communication

In global settings, clarity takes precedence over achieving an idealized accent. Certain sounds, like a crisp 'T' or a strong 'R', can help listeners understand better, while others, like the 'th' sound, are unnecessary. The speaker highlights that communication isn’t about replicating perfect British or American accents but about being understood. They further point out that cultural references deeply embedded in language, such as American sports idioms, can create barriers. The speaker calls for greater awareness of such cultural biases, arguing that effective communication goes beyond just pronunciation—it's about understanding diverse cultural contexts.

👂 Listening: The Overlooked Key to Global Communication

The speaker stresses that listening is often neglected in discussions about communication. Misunderstandings often arise when we make assumptions based on tone or unfamiliar accents. Every language has its own sound system, which shapes how accents form. Learning to decode these accents can enhance global communication. The speaker suggests we shift focus from accent reduction to accent recognition, encouraging leaders to appreciate linguistic diversity rather than trying to erase it. By becoming better listeners, especially in global contexts, we can make people feel more comfortable speaking up, reducing the fear of judgment for 'bad' English and valuing the richness of global voices.

Keywords

💡Global Language

A global language is a language that is widely spoken across the world and serves as a means of communication among speakers of different native languages. In the video, English is identified as the global language, highlighting its role in facilitating international communication. The speaker discusses how English, despite not being the native language for the majority, has become the lingua franca for business and diplomacy.

💡Accent

An accent refers to the pronunciation unique to a specific region or social group. The video emphasizes that accents are a natural result of language learning and are not flaws. It challenges the notion that certain accents should be 'fixed' and instead promotes the idea that understanding and appreciating different accents can enhance global communication.

💡Miscommunication

Miscommunication occurs when the intended message is not understood or is interpreted incorrectly by the listener. The script discusses how miscommunication is often blamed on non-native English speakers, but studies suggest that native speakers can also contribute to misunderstandings. The speaker argues for a more nuanced approach to communication that considers both speaking and listening skills.

💡Lingua Franca

A lingua franca is a common language used for communication between speakers of different native languages. The video script uses this term to discuss English as a means of international communication, pointing out that there is a need for more research on how English is used as a lingua franca and how it can be improved for clarity.

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural differences refer to the variations in customs, social norms, and values among different societies. The video script highlights how cultural differences can affect communication, especially when certain phrases or expressions are culturally specific and may not be universally understood. It calls for speakers to be aware of these differences and to adapt their language accordingly.

💡Adaptability

Adaptability in the context of the video refers to the ability of speakers to adjust their language to suit the needs of their listeners. This includes modifying pronunciation, vocabulary, and even the structure of sentences to enhance understanding. The speaker argues that adaptability is a crucial skill for effective global communication.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation is the way in which words are articulated when spoken. The video discusses the importance of certain pronunciation features, like the clear pronunciation of 't' and 'r' sounds, for clarity in communication. It also points out that some sounds, like the 'th' sound, may not be as crucial for understanding as previously thought.

💡Listener-Centered Communication

Listener-centered communication is an approach that focuses on the needs and perspectives of the listener. The video script encourages speakers to consider their listeners' backgrounds, language proficiency, and cultural differences to improve communication. It suggests that being mindful of the listener can lead to more effective and empathetic communication.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are oversimplified and often prejudiced beliefs about a particular group. The video challenges stereotypes about 'bad English' speakers, arguing that they are not the primary cause of communication problems. Instead, it suggests that rethinking what constitutes 'good' English and embracing diversity in language can lead to better communication.

💡Identity

Identity in the context of the video refers to the aspects of self that are expressed through language, including accent and the way one speaks. The speaker criticizes the trend of accent reduction, which can lead to the erasure of individuals' cultural identities. Instead, the video promotes the acceptance and celebration of diverse accents as part of one's identity.

💡Communication Barriers

Communication barriers are obstacles that prevent effective exchange of information. The video identifies various barriers, such as language rules, accents, and cultural references, that can hinder understanding. It suggests that by being more adaptable, open-minded, and listener-focused, these barriers can be overcome.

Highlights

The CEO of a global automotive group jokingly said their corporate language is 'bad English,' which fosters inclusivity and encourages everyone to speak up without fear of making mistakes.

Despite being fluent in Danish, the speaker feels like an outsider due to their accent, which underscores how language can signify belonging or exclusion.

The speaker argues that the dominance of 'perfect' English in global business creates barriers for the two billion people who speak 'bad English' and are judged for it.

While it's important to teach language fundamentals, forcing perfection in English pronunciation and grammar diminishes the value of diverse voices.

Only 400 million people are native English speakers, whereas two billion people have had to learn it, making 'bad English' far more common and significant globally.

Studies show that misunderstandings in global communication actually increase when native English speakers, not non-natives, enter the conversation.

The idea that native English speakers have ownership over the language is outdated; English now belongs to everyone using it across the world.

The speaker highlights the need for global leaders to focus on adaptability in communication, making their speech clearer for diverse listeners rather than chasing perfect accents.

It's not necessary to perfectly pronounce sounds like the 'th' in English. As long as people are consistent in their alternative pronunciations, listeners will adapt.

Speakers must adapt their language and cultural expressions in global settings, dropping jargon and culturally specific idioms like 'out in left-field' that others may not understand.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of listeners becoming more attuned to different accents, rather than forcing speakers to conform to idealized language norms.

Tone is essential in communication, but it often doesn’t translate well across cultures, so we must be more mindful and clarify when something seems misunderstood.

Instead of offering 'accent reduction' courses, the speaker advocates for 'accent recognition' courses to help global leaders appreciate and understand different English varieties.

Global leaders should prioritize listening skills, learning to appreciate diverse accents and communication styles instead of judging or masking differences.

The speaker calls for a shift in focus from perfecting speech to creating spaces where people feel comfortable speaking, which will unlock greater global potential.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

the CEO of a global automotive group

said they like to joke within the

company that their official global

corporate language is not English but

bad English this wasn't a negative thing

in fact they were quite proud of it

because by embracing bad english this

funny mix of grammatical errors random

pronunciations and made-up words they

were giving everyone a voice even those

who weren't so comfortable with their

English could speak up and share their

ideas because they weren't afraid of

making mistakes they knew that their bad

english was good enough now I know that

not everybody agrees with this

perspective ask anyone in the

multi-billion dollar English as a

foreign language industry and they will

likely tell you that accepting bad

English is a very bad idea we have

language rules for a reason we enjoy

fighting over them and this is true in

any language not just English because

the way we speak is a part of who we are

we can hear through language who belongs

and who's an outsider who fits in and

who almost fits in but not quite this

was one of the main reasons why I wanted

to learn Danish I'd be sitting at dinner

parties and something really funny would

happen and everybody was laughing and

then the whole room went silent

well someone translated the last five

minutes of the party to me and then all

these eyeballs right in my direction

awaiting my reaction

[Laughter]

you know I thought that by learning

Danish I would finally fit in but even

now when I speak Danish fluently okay

sure I can follow along with the jokes

at the dinner party I can laugh in the

right moments but every time I open my

mouth to speak my accent sabotages me it

gives away my secret that I don't really

belong but I guess I'm one of the lucky

ones because as our world gets smaller

and more connected it's impossible to

find work where you don't have to cross

languages and borders and cultures we

were forced to adopt a global language

and in the lottery of languages English

won that gives someone like me who was

born into English a clear advantage in

global business automatic ownership of

worldwide communication or at least

that's what a lot of English speakers

would like to believe take a peek into

English language classrooms around the

world and the teaching supports this

idea now I'm not saying that we should

get rid of language teaching of course

we have to have a basic solid foundation

of grammar vocabulary pronunciation

people need to be able to be understood

in the world but we have plenty of

people who speak really decent bad

English who are stuck in these

classrooms and we're forcing perfection

on them and we're fixing their grammar

and we're fixing their pronunciation and

we're fixing the people to make sure

that they can speak some kind of generic

American or British proper English so

that they can better fit in with the

english-speaking world

but here's what's really interesting

about the english-speaking world only

400 million of us were born into the

English language compare this to the two

billion voices who have had to learn

this language in a classroom right now

in our world today we have five times

more voices that stand out then fit in

and suddenly on a global stage such as

this one I'm an outsider again but this

time in my own language can't win so

let's take a closer look at this other

side of language let's see how we can

become better speakers and better

listeners so that we can increase the

understanding in our world today you

know I've always thought it was kind of

funny that we try to fit these two

billion people into this little box with

four hundred million I mean wouldn't it

be a lot easier and a lot more fun to

make the four hundred million

fit into the two billion we're quick to

assume that all of our miscommunication

all of our global communication problems

they must be the fault of the two

billion bad English voices because well

of course they speak bad English but you

might be surprised to hear that the

exact opposite is actually true numerous

studies on global communication have

shown that misunderstandings increase

when one of the 400 million good English

speakers enter the conversation it's the

truth how can this be

the other side of English is a very

interesting we like to believe that we

have this ownership over the language

but no one owns the English language

anymore the last ten years I've been

traveling the world as a speech and

communication specialist helping to fix

these two billion voices they come to me

because people have told them that they

have a heavy accent that they're

embarrassed about the way that they

speak where they come because they know

that opportunities are passing them by

these talented well-educated global

leaders who are perfectly confident and

eloquent in their own languages want to

erase their accents their identities so

that they will be respected for the

ideas coming out of their minds

instead of judged for how the words are

coming out of their mouths so they come

to me and they ask me to fix them but

there's just one problem these two

billion voices aren't broken the most

important skill to master as a global

leader moving forward in our world today

is not the perfect accent what is

crucial in global communication is

adaptability as a speaker being able to

change the way that you speak so that

it's easier for your listener to

understand and even more importantly as

a listener being open and flexible to

hearing all different kinds of English

and really making an effort to

understand the problem and the biggest

challenge we're facing with

international English is that there is

no one global English we can't define it

we can't put rules on it we can't teach

it it has to be experienced so the way

that a Chinese businesswoman speaks

English with a Frenchman in Germany will

be completely different than the way a

Dane speaks English with a New Zealander

and Korean in Indonesia what could be

completely acceptable in one context

could be completely unacceptable in

another with different speakers from

different backgrounds and cultures this

is why when I'm working with a speaker

for the first time and they come to me

because they're getting ready for a big

presentation or they just want to

survive the next international

conference call the first thing I ask

them is who are your listeners where are

they from what's their language level

what kind of cultural differences do we

need to take into consideration how do

they hear the language these aren't

always easy questions and it's very

possible you've never thought about them

before but if all of us both the good

English speakers and the much more

common bad English speakers if we all

went into our conversations with our

listener in mind our communication would

work a lot better we need a lot more

research on English as a lingua franca a

common language but studies suggest and

I've seen this to be true in my work

that there are certain sounds that when

articulated just right make it easier

for your listener to understand and

there are other English sounds that make

absolutely no difference whatsoever so

for example if you take the letter T and

you pronounce it as a nice crisp T in

words like internet clarity water it's

going to be easier for your listener to

understand they can wrap their ears

around that sound and understand you

better the same is true for a stronger

pronunciation of the R sound

something that we commonly think is

really unique although it isn't to the

American dialects of English on the

other hand how about that terrible th

you know that or the sound that every

single one of the two billion voices

struggles with making it totally

impossible to tell anybody that they're

thinking about 3333 things well guess

what that sound it doesn't matter not at

all and I'm sure many of you right now

are really angry with your English

teachers but we know that you can change

that sound you can switch it out for

something else and as long as you are

consistently pronouncing the th with

that sound

everyone will tune their ears and

understand so what we're seeing when we

go in to global settings and look at the

pronunciation being used we're moving

away from this idealized accent the

Queen's English and are focusing instead

on clarity and understanding but these

are just our sounds this is the science

of speech the physicality of

pronunciation and articulation this is

just one a very small part of our speech

to have good communication we need a lot

more so as speakers we need to remember

when we go into global settings we are

gonna run right into other languages and

cultures and when we grow up in a

language it becomes such a deep part of

us that we don't even realize when we're

saying something that's culturally based

ask any American to rephrase these very

common phrases to touch base out in

left-field in the end zone

many Americans will struggle because

these phrases are such completely common

everyday parts of our American

vocabulary we don't even start to

realize that they come directly from

baseball and American football

you can expect someone to understand

your language but you can't expect them

to understand your culture this is why

it's so important for us to drop the jar

again the slang the business speak the

sports analogies even the good English

speakers can't understand each other

when they forget that they come from

different cultures but this is still all

just focusing on the speaker what about

our listener what I said earlier is even

more important and the reason why I

believe that is because we never talk

about them when you are going into any

kind of global conversation it's so

important to remember that you need to

make an effort a lot of people get

frustrated hearing different accents

always so hard to understand and they

don't want to talk to that person

anymore but when you understand how

accents work they actually are like this

fun little puzzle that you can figure

out we have accents because every single

language has its own sound system so

when we grow up learning a language we

learn that sound system and we learn to

perfectly imitate and mimic the sounds

of that system but we know that at some

point along the way of growing up we

don't know exactly one but somewhere in

the early teens we lose this ability to

perfectly mimic sounds so what happens

when we meet a new language is we have

to go back to our old sound systems and

we try to approximate the correct sound

that would fit that new sound so when

you understand how this works

all you really have to do is crack the

code once you know how the sounds are

switched it gets really easy to

understand an accent and something like

this can be taught but these are just

sounds tone and emphasis a little more

tricky we get so much information from

tone you can hear when someone is

when they're happy when they're sad when

they're angry when they're stressed you

can hear when your friend is smiling on

the telephone that's how important our

tone is but unfortunately tone doesn't

translate well even in our own languages

think of how many different ways you

could say the words yeah right yeah

right yeah right yeah right and this is

just in our own language when we're in

global settings we cannot make any

assumptions if somebody says something

you think is totally outrageous

chances are you misunderstood we need to

enter every single interaction as if

it's an exploration always questioning

always curious checking for

understanding asking for clarification

and always giving the benefit of the

doubt what we also need to do is simply

be better listeners all of us need to

have more contact with different

varieties of accented English from all

over the world because the more we hear

these languages and accents the easier

they are for us to understand we have so

many courses out there I run some of

them that are stripping the accents and

stripping the identities away from the

two billion people we're sending them to

these courses called accent reduction I

think it's time for us to start

considering having a lot more courses on

accent recognition where global leaders

learn and appreciate the different

accents that they are going to come into

contact with in their work where they

begin to value and accept and see the

beauty in our differences instead of

trying to

judge and mask them we're always so

focused on learning how to speak so that

others want to listen why don't we start

listening so that people want to speak I

am convinced that we are nowhere near

reaching our potential in this world one

of the biggest reasons is because too

many people are afraid to speak up

they're afraid of their bad English

they're afraid of being judged maybe

it's time for us to stop fixing all the

bad and start redefining what is good so

please I'm begging you keep speaking up

keep sharing your ideas with the world

because as long as you can understand

and you're being understood then you're

speaking bad English perfectly

[Applause]

[Music]

to people

[Applause]

[Music]