Spoken English may sound very fast to you. If you have trouble understanding a person, ask them to slow down or repeat what they said. Do not hesitate to ask questions. There are a number of spoken dialects in the United States. In Atlanta, you may hear people speaking with two or more dialects. The most common dialects are “Black English” (also called Ebonics), spoken by African Americans, and “Piedmont English,” spoken generally by white people. Both dialects can be difficult to understand for non-native speakers, but with patience, communication is possible, and very rewarding.
Americans who are not used to communicating with international students may behave strangely. Particularly, they may speak louder, move their arms and hands quickly, and in fact seem “angry.” This is not the case. Remember, Americans are very inquisitive, and are often eager to learn about your country and culture. Speaking loudly and moving the body is a natural human reaction to misunderstanding.
Americans, particularly students, use a great deal of “slang,” which is a trendy, culturally oriented, or informal way of speech. Often, slang cannot be understood without an explanation. If you don’t understand a word or phrase, ask what it means and how it is used. Most Americans will be amused by your attempt to understand, and will happily help you. Learning some slang will help you understand American culture better, and bond with our friends, roommates, and classmates.
Americans often abbreviate words. For example: the Stetson School of Business and Economics is often referred to as “SSBE,” Biology is referred to as “Bio,” and the English Language Institute is referred to as “ELI”.
Your Name
Your name is a very important part of you. Be patient while others learn how to say your name correctly. Some international students will choose an “Americanized” version of their name to make it easier for others to remember, but this is a matter of personal choice. You should not feel that you have to do this yourself, though you can if you would like to. Americans can learn to say your name properly, if not perfectly. They may even be proud to learn how to pronounce it correctly.