Posted by: spreadlove June 20, 2009
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My two cents
In our language, nepali, which comes from sanskrit origin, I feel that the usage of three Ss :"स: SA ,श: sha ष :Not sure why it exists: Its kindda obsolute" are not explained properly, at least when speaking. It is there in script. In hindi language, which shares the same script, however they make optimum use of स and श, I mean they differentiate, but in nepal in spoken, we are not taught to differentiate. We pronounce every thing plain स. Ironically I hear people using श where स is actually needed. Since childhood in school or home we keep on hearing the same in-diffirentiation again and again and we condition in the same manner. But nepalese who pay heed to their pronunciation can feel the difference, if they have exposure to foreign language they tend to find the difference and adapt to it. It happened to me. Earlier when my friends in india, during my college years in late 90's, used to tell me the difference, I used to think what in the earth are they talking about, I am speaking correct, what स or श . But then I understood, mostly in rural in india, they also have the same problem with स and श, its only in the urban and urdu-influenced area, the difference between स and श is regulated and pronounced. By this I dont mean to rule out that indians do not have accent, they have very thick ones but at least they pronounce words completely and correctly. That might be one of the reason we find indian songs and hindi dialogues so melodious and captivating. (just my opinion, open to arguements). We need to practice differentiating between स and श,correctly.
Any english word having SH should be pronounced श , plain S is स like sheep becomes शिप and sip becomes सिप, moreover, TION, SION, SSION also becomes SH, like mention becomes मेन्शन not मेन्सन
The other common mistake we make is the difference in g,j and z. In nepali script we have one and only one ज. It can't be explained in written form unless we hear it. like its ZINDAGI not JINDAGI, if you know what I mean.
So to begin with we need to understand these small mistakes and then on the accent part, as sidster and bhikhaari recommed, drop your shame, and watch carefully the way your american friends speak, immitate their body language, lip movements, pronunciations, gestures, ettiquetes, mannerisms, slangs and language structure.
rgds...
thanks.
Last edited: 20-Jun-09 01:16 AM