A Study on English Pronunciation in the Hindi-Speaking Region in India

Abstract

Learning correct pronunciation has been one of the major challenges for a learner who learns a language either as a second language or as a foreign language. It is equally difficult for an instructor to make learners learn correct pronunciation. The challenge is greater for both learners and instructors when learners are adults or adolescents. The study aims to identify commonly mispronounced English words in Bihar and U.P. It analyzes these mispronounced words, identifies patterns of error, and examines their causes. Furthermore, the study recommends ways to improve learners' pronunciation skills and provides an (not exhaustive) list of mispronounced words. The study uses a convenience sampling method and a covert observation technique to collect the data. The data has not been collected at a single point in time, but rather over several years and across different parts of the Hindi-speaking region.