An instructor at the L2 Accent Reduction Centre recently purchased an audio book about voice projection. However there was also a section on correct pronunciation, which very much contradicts the natural rhythm of English. For example, the speaker advises to use Perfect Tenses and Formal Words. The speaker also suggested to clearly say pronouns, and not to reduce contractions like, “The man could have said he had had his automobile repaired.” Instead of simply saying, “The man could’ve said ‘e got iz car fixed.” Speaking too perfectly can make a non-native speaker sound even more foreign.
Across the US and Canada, there are several variations of so-called correct pronunciation. Most usage guides do not go into the class or social divisions that these variations may be connected to. But some simple observations can highlight some of them. In fact, even though literature is more in line with the written form, it will attempt to mimic these variations of the spoken form.
“I is done it. Hush , now. Ain’t I told you you can’t go up there.”
William Faulkner – The Sound and The Fury
“I coulda told you that,’ said George. ‘Well, I wasn’t hurtin’ ‘em none. I jus’ had mine in my lap pettin’ it.” John Steinbeck – Of Mice and Men
“Boy, Coyote sit up straight. Them eyes pop open. That tail stop wagging. That one swallow that smile.” Thomas King – The One About Coyote Going West.
“And if she thought anything, it was No. No. Nono. Nonono. Simple. She just flew. Collected every bit of life she had made, all the parts of her that were precious and fine and beautiful, and carried, pushed, dragged them through the veil, out, away, over there where no one could hurt them.”
Toni Morrison – Beloved
By the way, I know that it is not grammatically correct to say “more perfect” or “too perfect”, but linguistically, these imperfections are a part of the language and very common to see.
