Why does the pronunciation matter more than the accent?

So often, people will ask me: "Did I get the French accent right?".

Every time, I roll my eyes. I roll my eyes because it doesn't matter to me at all. It should not be the priority, not until being fluent.

Why? It is time that we think about the difference between the pronunciation and the accent.

Scenario 1. Imagine being at the supermarket and the person in front of you is speaking with a very French accent to the cashier, saying that they are British. Anyone would be impressed by how French they sound. Yet, in every sentence they say, the cashier looks puzzled and ask the British to repeat themselves, or they might even start speaking in English asking "do you mean this word?". Not so impressive anymore, right?

Scenario 2. Same environment settings. But this time, you are the customer. You awkwardly start thinking "what's the point of me speaking in French to the cashier?! They will answer in English to me too." Yet, you decide to go for it. As you say the words carefully, maybe sounding a bit hesitant, with quite a strong British accent, the cashier answers you in French, looking impressed.

So let me ask you: which experience would you prefer to live?

Well, personally, I would prefer living scenario 2 all over again. I have been in scenario 1. Not fun.

The accent is the last thing someone should worry about. The accent is the cherry on top. The accent is part of our personality and our cultural background. The accent can change depending on where you live and it happens quite naturally because when you hear people speak in a certain way, you start sounding like them.

The pronunciation is a skill. The pronunciation is part of the language. The pronunciation makes the difference between being understood and being able to communicate, or not.

Someone could have the most French accent and not be able to engage in a conversation in French. And someone else's origin could be betrayed by their accent but have the deepest conversation in French.

Who would you rather be?

I personally chose to never lose my French accent. Ever.

I remember my marketing teacher at university telling us how important it is to keep it because wherever we go, part of our country is with us. I speak English with my French accent. And, of course, there have been a many occasions, even now, where I will say something and people pause, look at me confused and ask: "what?" Is it about my accent? Some people think so. Shame. Is it my pronunciation? Yes, it is.

And most of the time it happens when I am tired or speaking too fast. So I pause, take a deep breath, and repeat myself making sure I articulate. Do I try to sound more English? No chance.

I just try to sound clearer.

And it makes me happy to sound French. And, I encourage you to do what makes you happy too.

If you'd rather be the one who can hold a conversation and have the strongest accent from their original country, I can help you learn French.

Here's how to start...