Introduction
Language, much like music, has various tones and forms that reflect the nuances of our experiences. In this reflection, I will share my journey through conversational and academic English, as well as how these forms have shaped my academic and professional life. My personal experience serves as a microcosm of how the differences between these types of English reflect broader linguistic challenges and opportunities.
Understanding Conversational English
Until I delved into the intricacies of the differences, I had not recognized the distinctions between conversational and academic English. When I first moved from East London, where I spoke Cockney, to a new town in Stevenage, the language here was more tempered, yet still general. Speaking in this general or conversational form was quite fine for my needs at the time. However, it was clear that if one aspired to a deeper understanding and mastery of the English language, academic English was the path to follow.
I firmly believe that general or conversational English should be renamed as such; it is the language used for everyday conversation. Conversely, academic English is the precise, complex, and often formal language used in higher education and professional contexts. For my purposes, general English was sufficient for navigating my early life and education, but as I progressed, I realized the value and necessity of studying academic English for research and academic pursuits.
The Transition into Academic English
My journey into academic English began after high school, when I enrolled in a German boat to America at the age of 15. There I encountered English that was tempered and more formal. Gymnastics and academic rigor influenced my language, setting a foundation for the more formal academic English that I would later master. Subsequently, after returning to England to pursue my A-levels, my English further evolved.
I studied French and passed government exams, which enabled me to enter the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris. However, my academic journey was not without obstacles. After one year, the university closed due to the student riots of May 68. Reluctantly, I returned to England and applied to study French literature at a UK university, only to be rejected because I had no O-level in Latin or Greek. Instead, I opted for a degree studying Southeast Asia and Malay, which meant my English became more general.
Graduating with stellar results, I was offered a research position with a grant in anthropology. Despite facing obstacles when I tried to research in Malaysia due to the political climate, I was eventually allowed to research among the Hmong in Thailand. This experience honed my language skills, and when I finally gained my PhD by viva in the UK, I used a highly academic and precise form of English.
The Practical Application of Academic English
Having obtained my PhD, I pursued a lecturing position at a Singapore university. Here, I realized that many Singaporeans were, in fact, more proficient in English than many native speakers from England. Given my diverse linguistic background, which included fluency in French, Thai, and Malay, I eventually secured a position with the United Nations, where I worked in various countries, including Laos, Indonesia, and as a UN spokesman in Indonesia.
Throughout my career, I found that academic English was not just a necessary tool for research and language acquisition, but it was also a powerful means of communication that transcended cultural and political boundaries. The academic English I had mastered allowed me to meet diverse challenges, from public speaking in the UK to navigating complex negotiations in Laos.
Today, my family and I live in Laos, where we speak a combination of Lao, French, and English. Notably, we avoid the more colloquial dialect of English, choosing instead the academic form for our communications at home and abroad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my journey through conversational and academic English has been a rich tapestry of personal experiences and challenges. This reflection serves not only as a testament to the importance of academic English but also as an encouragement to those who aspire to gain deeper insight into the complexities of language and its applications in various contexts.