24 episodes
English: Personal Experiences - for iPod/iPhone The Open University
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- Education
How has the English language influenced your life? How would you define your relationship with English? In this collection these questions are explored by Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, writer Sindiwe Magona, and author Jung Chang amongst others. They discuss the impact of the language; and describe the part English has played in their life. For many of us the language can broaden experiences and opportunities, for others it can create obstacles and become a hindrance. How often do you change they way you speak to adapt to different environments or accommodate other peoples assumptions? Can we get an insight into who people are by how the use grammar and pronounce words? In a series of conversations we’re given access to the varying perspectives on the English language from a range of personal experiences.
This material forms part of The Open University course U214 Worlds of English.
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- video
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah describes his love for the organic nature of English language.
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Transcript -- Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah describes his love for the organic nature of English language.
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- video
Colin Goh
Colin Goh explains how English influenced his life growing up in Singapore.
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Transcript -- Colin Goh
Colin Goh explains how English influenced his life growing up in Singapore.
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- video
Derek Simpson
Derek Simpson discusses how growing up in a working class area changed his accent.
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Transcript -- Derek Simpson
Derek Simpson discusses how growing up in a working class area changed his accent.