Sunday, May 23, 2004, 13:30 GMT
How hard would it be a foreigner who has spoken English as a second language for say, 30 years, to modify his speech habits? For example, he hears and pronounces the following words identically: "letter" like "later"; and "fit" like "feet". What does he have to do to put an end to his old ways and devise a new way of perceiving these sounds differently?
Is this purely a matter of conscious listening and ritualised repetition over a period of time? IF this is the case, will his new found speech pattern eventually become second nature to him like that of a native? Or will a consistent effort (greater than that of a native) always be required consciously?
Is this purely a matter of conscious listening and ritualised repetition over a period of time? IF this is the case, will his new found speech pattern eventually become second nature to him like that of a native? Or will a consistent effort (greater than that of a native) always be required consciously?