How to Speak Like a Native English Speaker – Informal Language Edition

How to Speak Like a Native English Speaker – Informal Language Edition

English is the world’s most spoken language and is used as an official language in many countries globally. However, with English being used widely in different societies, there are variations in how English is spoken in different regions of the world.

Informal language is commonly used by native speakers in daily conversations, but it can be challenging for non-native speakers to learn. In this article, we will be discussing tips to help you speak like a native English speaker in informal settings.

1. Slang

Slang is a type of informal language commonly used by native English speakers. Slang words are used in everyday conversations, and it’s essential to understand how they are used to speak like a native English speaker.

Examples of Slang words include ‘Crash’, which means to sleep, ‘Chill’, which means to relax, and ‘Dude’, which means a male friend. Learning these words and their meanings will help you blend in well with native English speakers.

2. Contractions

Contractions are shortened versions of words that are commonly used in informal language. Native English speakers use contractions to make their sentences sound more natural.

Examples of contractions include ‘I’m’ instead of ‘I am’, ‘you’re’ instead of ‘you are’, and ‘they’re’ instead of ‘they are’. To speak like a native English speaker in informal settings, it’s vital to understand how contractions are used and to use them in your sentences.

3. Colloquial Expressions

Colloquial expressions are informal sayings that are commonly used by native English speakers. These expressions are used to convey specific meanings and emotions.

Examples of colloquial expressions include ‘I’m feeling under the weather,’ which means to feel unwell, ‘put a sock in it,’ which means to be quiet, and ‘easy-peasy,’ which means something is very simple. Learning these expressions and how to use them in your conversations will help you sound like a native English speaker.

4. Emphasize Words

Native English speakers emphasize specific words in their sentences to convey their emotions or make a point. To sound like a native English speaker, try to emphasize words in your sentences.

For example, if you want to show excitement, you can emphasize the word ‘amazing’ by saying ‘It was AMAZING!’ To show emphasis, change the tone, and speak louder and slower on the word you want to highlight.

5. Pronunciation

Pronunciation is crucial when it comes to speaking English like a native speaker. Pay close attention to how words are pronounced by native English speakers and practice your pronunciation of these words.

Examples of commonly mispronounced words include ‘schedule’ (pronounced Shed-jule, not Sked-jule), ‘often’ (pronounced Offen, not Off-ten), and ‘thorough’ (pronounced Thuh-ruh, not Tho-ruh).

Conclusion

In conclusion, speaking like a native English speaker in informal settings takes time, practice, and patience. By learning slang words, contractions, colloquial expressions, emphasizing words, and pronunciation, you can improve your informal English language skills and sound more like a native English speaker.

Remember, the key to mastering the language is practice. Try to engage in daily conversations with native English speakers and apply the tips discussed in this article to your conversations. With time, you’ll be speaking like a native English speaker in no time.