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Speaking a foreign language in a classroom
is one thing, but living in a society where you have to use
this language on a daily basis is completely different. Here
are some language problems you may encounter while in the
United States:
- You might not understand the local accent right away.
Regional accents vary greatly in the United States. In a
group of people from all corners of the United States, Americans
can usually easily pick out who is from Boston, New York,
the Midwest, or the South, just by the way they speak. Give
yourself time to get used to the local accent, and in time
you will probably find yourself speaking in the same way.
- Americans might not understand you right away. You will
also have your own accent and you might use a different
vocabulary. Try to speak slowly at first to make sure you
are understood. Do not be shy to ask others to speak slowly
if you have trouble understanding them.
- Americans use a lot of slang and jargon in their speech.
Their language is very colorful and full of imagery and
it might take some time to completely understand it.
- Humor, wit, and sarcasm are an integral part of American
English. Some international students have trouble adapting
to this informal style of conversation or understanding
whether the person they are speaking with is being serious
or not. This, however, should be interpreted as a mark of
friendliness rather than a show of disrespect.
- You might not know all of the abbreviations and technical
terms used in your study program or workplace. Terms such
as "poli sci" for political science, "dorms"
for dormitories, or "TA" for teaching assistant,
are just a few examples of campus slang you will encounter.
The abbreviation is often the first syllable of the word
or, if two or more words are together, their initials. If
you do not understand a word or an abbreviation, simply
ask the meaning.
Give yourself time to adapt to the language and do not hesitate
to ask people to repeat what they have said, speak slowly,
or explain what they mean. It would be wise to carry a small
dictionary with you in case of emergency. Most importantly,
do not be afraid to make mistakes. This will all be part of
your learning experience.
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