Nelson Mandela famously said that speaking to someone in their native language goes straight to their heart, but what happens when they don’t understand you despite your proficiency in their language?
Many individuals who have learned a foreign language without being immersed in the culture can relate to this frustration. Despite excelling at Swedish Scrabble, having a perfect grasp of French grammar, and breezing through Colombian telenovelas, attempting to converse with a native speaker often yields confusion and frustration.
This was the case for me when I visited Brazil to explore the culture of my Cuban ancestors. After taking Spanish classes and extensively studying Portuguese, I felt confident in my ability to communicate with my Brazilian relatives through email. However, my attempts at conversation often ended with blank stares and misunderstandings.
Although my vocabulary and grammar were correct, I failed to recognize the distinct rhythm, tone, and stress found in Brazilian Portuguese. My accent was unrecognizable to locals, and even simple phrases like "see you later" were met with confusion.
It wasn’t until I returned to London and sang along to a famous bossa nova song that I had an epiphany. By continuously mimicking the sounds in the song, my brain and mouth learned the pattern of the Portuguese language independent of its meaning. This unconscious process is similar to how babies cry in their local accents.
Instead of being taught English comparative sounds, it’s crucial to recognize and mimic the subtle nuances of foreign languages. By immersing oneself in the unique musicality of a language, one’s accent can greatly improve. As Mandela stated, speaking in someone’s native language goes straight to their heart, so it’s important to strive for accurate communication.
To embark on the journey of developing a genuine accent in your native language, it is not mandatory to enroll in any course or incur any expenses. Simply seek out music that appeals to your taste, allow yourself to listen to it, sing along and above all, enjoy the process.
