Here is a recording of the full transcript below:
Hello,
1. My name is Thor May.
2. I come from Australia.
3. I was born in a small town but only lived there for two weeks before my family moved to Sydney in 1945.
4. Sydney is a big city and my family moved frequently when I was a child.
5. I have also moved frequently as an adult.
6. Since 1976 I have been a teacher or university lecturer.
7. I have worked in seven countries.
8. My professions are teaching English and researching linguistics.
9. Linguistics is the science of language.
10. I am very curious about how things work – technology, science, societies, people, and especially the human brain.
11. I like to run and to stay fit.
12. I have no debts, but I don’t have much money either.
13. Sometimes I am stubborn.
14. I have always been independent and unmarried.
15. I am rather shy and find it difficult to start friendships.
16. My main aim is to have an interesting life.
RECORD YOUR OWN VOICE ! => go here to see how to use this idea.
- Record your own voice while you copy the speech of a native listener (such as my voice above, for English). Compare your recording with the native speaker.
- Listen to how the native speaker speech groups words (in English that speech grouping is often different from the grammar). Linking words into groups like this is called "speech liaison". Without liaison, your English speech will not sound natural. (Note that English often drops or changes some sounds when words are liaised: e.g. "want to" => /wanna/ ). Each language is different with this.
- Listen to how the native speaker speaks some words more strongly (this is called "stress". It may include loudness, speed or pitch). In English, these strong words are about new or important information. Without the correct stress on words, English listeners may get the wrong meaning. With other languages, you will need to listen and think carefully about how these languages use stress (many teachers, even native language teachers, will not have clear knowledge about this).
(c) Thor May 2011 material on this page is essentially for Thor's private study return to the main Language Study Index || return to homepage contact: thormay AT yahoo.com
