Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery. —Amy Chua
Many people think that accents are beautiful, a part of your identity, and as Amy Chua says, a sign of bravery. Learning a language doesn’t come easily but requires a lot of hard work and dedication. In addition to that, using the language even when it’s not perfect requires bravery!
Language point
We often use the adjectives “courageous” and “brave” interchangeably, but did you know that there’s a slight difference in meaning? We use the word “brave” when describing someone who is stepping out to try something new, without any hesitation whatsoever. On the other hand, the word “courageous” is used to describe someone who is attempting something new and difficult, even though they’re feeling scared or uncertain.
Did you see what she did? She just walked into the director’s office to ask for a raise! What a courageous act!
He came here alone six months ago to learn English, and he’s already started looking for a job. He’s so brave.
Learning a new language and using it can require bravery, but here at The English Farm, we want you to try anyway. Whether you’re feeling brave or courageous, just do your best. Our teachers are here to help you!
Did you know? Amy Chua is the author of the book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Her book quickly popularized the term "tiger mom/mother", meaning a strict mother who pushes her children to high levels of achievement, especially by using methods regarded as typical of child-rearing in East Asia.