How do I love thee, oh Elizabeth Browning’s language?

Let me NOT COUNT  the ways…

Let me JUST COIN a word…

ACCENTGOISM

Yes, folks… that’s the word… ACCENTGOISM /ˈakˌsentˌgōˌizəm/

Etymology:  From the words accent and egoistic

(Of course, you know the meaning of the aforementioned words. If not, consult “Merriam-Webster.”)

The word was coined by…well…by me!

The word I minted out of the inspiration I derived from my exasperation over some realities I have encountered in ESL teaching.

Stress:  I don’t like you folks to be so stressed and wondering where to put the stress, so let me stress that the stress is on the first syllable.

Part of Speech Label: Of course, the word is a noun. Adjective form: accentgoistic

Do you want to make it an adverb? Then, add the suffix -ly. Now it becomes accentgoisticly. Better yet, make it accentgoistically.

Pronunciation Guide: You know how to read the words accent  (ˈakˌsent) and egoism(ˈēgōˌizəm). Combine the sounds from the two words. You’ve got to eliminate though the ē sound from ˈēgōˌizəm.  It’s up to you folks if you wish to mimic the way the Americans or the British say those words. You are also free to produce those sounds like our brethren from down under do it. Or be real… blurt it out the way your respective frenula would allow it.

Point of Clarification: I am referring to the frenulum linguae (lingual frenulum)  under the tongue, not the frenulum veli in the brain and the frenulum valvae ileocaecalis in the digestive tracts. Not even the ones anatomy teachers would discuss when presenting the reproductive systems of both males and females. What are they? Do you want to know? Google it baby!

Related Terms/Synonyms: Linguistic Racism, Linguistic Egocentrism, Monopoly of Language

(Honestly, at the moment I was “playing with the word, ” I was not sure if those terms (in the line immediately above this sentence) were already existing in any form of literature.)

Definitions:

Do I still need to define it? Can’t you just refer to the contextual clues provided in the “Related Terms/Synonyms” section?

But if you insist, then read on…

1. The tendency of SOME English-speaking people, who,  because of their “distinct accent,”  think they have a language monopoly.

2. The tendency of SOME English teachers to think that those with bad  English accents are not good English teachers.

3. The idea that only those people with a distinct and natural accent are qualified to teach English.

4. The idea is that people born and grew up in the native English speakers’ zone are better ESL teachers than those who speak English as their second language.

5. The tendency of SOME English-speaking people to think that those who have difficulty learning the English language are slow learners.

6. The tendency of SOME English-speaking people to think that those who cannot speak and write well in English are dumb and ignorant.

There goes “my play with words.”

Dissect the conversation below:

Me: Do you believe that it is the accent in your country that the world must follow?

A former colleague (a native English speaker): Yes, because we are the most economically powerful country. We set standards for many things, including how English should be uttered.

Me: Oh…China might become the most economically powerful country sooner or later. So, I need to start training myself to speak English like the Chinese.

That same native speaker: But they don’t own the language!

Me: Why? Is there anybody who owns the English language?

Him again: Man…you’re ridiculous.

Me: Thanks for the compliment.