How does mother tongue influence affect your English?

Effective ways to overcome the drawbacks caused by Mother Tongue Influence are described in the following points.

Start to Speak

This might be difficult to do. Start with simple words used to describe an object. Then, move-on to saying small phrases and gradually start making whole sentences. For instance, start using the word ‘Table’. After that, start using phrases associated with it like ‘Table and chair’. Finally, make whole sentences like ‘The leg of the table is broken’. In this scenario, think before speaking and keep practicing.

Regular Reading 

You can start by reading newspapers, gradually moving into magazines and novels. Make sure that whatever you are reading is written in simple and easy-to-understand language and is relatable to you for grasping the language in a better approach. 

 Fun Learning Tasks 

Watch English NEWS and movies frequently. This can help you focus on how appropriately the words are being used in a dialogue. Concentrate on the pronunciation and repeat the dialogue until you are able to say the word  correctly. Try to understand the exact sound of each syllable.

Practice with your Pal

Do you have a friend who is fluent in English? And you notice that they do not have a mother tongue influence while speaking? Practice conversing in English with him/her. Ask them to help you understand your mistakes and correct you at the same time. Also, pay keen attention to how they pronounce the words.

Use a Gadget Guide

Uncomfortable to practice with a friend? Unable to get any guidance from people around you? Read from newspaper articles, paragraphs from magazines or short stories. Whenever you read, make sure you record your voice on a recording device such as a mobile phone/laptop/voice recorder etc., whichever is handy. Once you record, play it and listen to the words that you are mispronouncing. When you come across such words, use google to help you understand the accurate pronunciation of those words. Correct your pronunciation and practice again until you sound flawless.

Analysis + Attention = Articulation

While speaking, focus on the usage of the words. Are you using them in the significant context with perfect pronunciation? Analyze whether the word you want to use is appropriate in the context you wish to speak. Think before you speak and pay attention to the pronunciation. This helps you to use words in appropriate phrases with the right context and proper pronunciation.

Detect Difficult Words

Identify specific words that you find difficult to pronounce or you pronounce differently from others. If your pronunciation has a MTI, make sure you practice with the help of correct sound available on Google.  

The Lip Movement

Enhance your pronunciation and abstain yourself from having your mother tongue influence on your accent. A mirror helps you to rectify your lip movement while pronouncing the words. For example, for words starting with ‘W’ (Watch) we have to round our lips when we pronounce them. Similarly, for words starting with ‘V’ (Vase) we have to slightly bite our lower lip.

Approach the Coach

The sounds ‘[ng], [v], [θ], [р], [z], [ʧ], [ʃ], [t], [ʤ], [ʒ], [l] and [w]’ are difficult to pronounce. At times, we don’t use such sounds in our mother tongue languages. Also, the plural forms of words either end in a ‘/s/’ sound, a ‘/z/’ sound or a ‘/iz/’. Using these sounds accurately can be quite tricky. In such cases practicing the true pronunciation with proper guidance is the key to success.

Learning to speak in a language that is not your mother tongue can be difficult. However, if you are determined and are willing to learn, eradicating the influence of your native language is simpler. Practice and develop good reading and speaking habits. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends who are fluent enough and ask for help to improve your skills.