Theory versus reality: the pronunciation of English as lingua franca and the adult learner
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69969/revistababel.v9i1.6109Keywords:
English as a lingua franca, Identity, Intelligibility, Accent, Adult learnerAbstract
The aim of this research is to investigate beginner adult learners´ views on English pronunciation in the context of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). Regarding that a very strong identity aspect of the speakers is the accent, and that in the context of ELF the willing to keep the accent is common among the speakers, this study proposes to verify the adult learners’ views through a questionnaire and analyze them in the light of the key points of ELF theories: current notions of English language influence, identity of the speakers, non native speakers’ accents, and intelligibility. After the analysis, it was found that, among the 16 beginner learners that answered the questionnaire, several of them already understand English as a global language today, whereas some of them still see it as belonging to a specific nation. The majority of the participants show a very strong identity position as Brazilian English speakers. About the participants’ accents, a big part of them seeks to achieve native-like pronunciation, chooses the American variation and considers the intelligibility factor as the most important during communications, judging the non-native accent less intelligible. Through this study, it is hoped to demonstrate that although ELF theories are widely disseminated in academia, in the classroom learners have some views that do not always correspond to theories.
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