Why not LFC |
|
Włodzimierz Sobkowiak (Poznań) |
[entire paper as an MS Word
.doc file]
A new pronunciation standard has recently been proposed as a viable goal
for foreign learners of English to reach, that of Lingua Franca Core
(Jenkins 2000b). LFC would be the
pronunciation of English as an International Language (EIL) or English as a
Lingua Franca (ELF). The project for a
'realistic' pronunciation syllabus for International English has gained wide
support in many EFL circles. Yet, it is
marred by a number of faults and weaknesses.
In this paper arguments are provided against LFC-like
standards/syllabuses. The arguments
come from a wide range of considerations: (1) philosophical: axiology does
not follow from ontology, (2) logical: fallacies of inference
(3) ideological: political correctness (anti-linguistic-imperialism and
the like) does not serve objective scientific judgment, (4) (socio)linguistic:
speech is used for much more than sheer communication, (5) pedagogical:
loosening didactic standards must not, post-hoc, be excused and encouraged,
(6) psychological: native-like pronunciation is recognized by learners as
an asset in itself. They have been developed
in reaction to the writings and pronouncements of the main proponents of LFC
pronunciation: Jennifer Jenkins, Barbara Seidlhofer, and others.