Pratique du Shadowing: 3 grammar rules that you don’t need to follow anymore - Arika Okrent - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec YouTube

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In 1954, Winston Cigarettes launched an ad so controversial, broadcasters refused to say it on the air.
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In 1954, Winston Cigarettes launched an ad so controversial, broadcasters refused to say it on the air.
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But the uproar had nothing to do with the dangerous product being advertised.
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People were appalled by the ad's grammar, specifically using like as a conjunction instead of as.
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Grammatical incidents like this have caused outrage in various regions and languages for centuries.
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But while we know people take grammar seriously, what's less clear is why.
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Where do these seemingly random rules come from, and which, if any, actually matter?
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The answers to these questions vary from rule to rule.
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So let's look at three particularly famous English examples.
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First up, the idea that you should never end a sentence with a preposition.
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Prepositions are small, common words like with, on, for, or to that often come before nouns.
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So, for example, a grammar stickler would consider, where does this rule come from,
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incorrect, preferring instead, from where does this rule come?
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This rule comes from 18th century England, when etiquette was all the rage.
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And amidst countless guides on how to act properly, grammarians flooded the market with books on how to speak properly.
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Many of the rules in these guides were taken from Latin, a language that was commonly used for written scholarship.
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But no one had spoken Latin conversationally in 1,000 years, and imposing its rules on speech was awkward, to say the least.
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The rule to never strand a preposition without a noun was one such revived relic.
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And while the scholars who proposed it presented the idea as a stylistic choice, subsequent writers turned their suggestion into a hard rule.
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Other rules have origins that are perhaps less arbitrary, but significantly more petty.
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Consider the idea that you should use fewer when referring to countable nouns,
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like water models, and less when referring to nouns we don't count, like water.
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This rule comes from another 18th-century grammarian called Robert Baker,
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who, for reasons unknown, believed less was inelegant when used with countable nouns.
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This might seem strange, but people today wage similar wars on so-called lesser language, such as like or literally.
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Besides, Baker's preference was part of a larger craze for codifying English.
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For centuries after the Norman conquest in 1066, French was the language of nobility in England, while English was seen as the language of commoners.
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While the English had long reclaimed their kingdom by Baker's time, this insecurity lingered in the hearts of many English grammarians.
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In fact, Baker also wanted King George to establish an Academy of Letters, with 50 officials to protect the English language.
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That's 10 more officials than were employed in France's grammar guard, l'Académie Française.
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Many English grammar rules have similarly silly origins, such as efforts to distinguish over from more than,
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or our attachment to Latin plurals like fungi and formulae.
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The stakes of all these grammatical debates are mostly academic.
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But one frequently discussed rule does have some real-world consequences.
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For centuries, they has been used in classic literature and everyday speech as both a plural and a singular pronoun.
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And today, many non-binary and transgender individuals prefer to use they-them as singular pronouns to refer to themselves.
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Nineteenth-century grammarians, however, believed that they should be an exclusively plural pronoun.
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Furthermore, in cases where they could be used as a singular pronoun, they argued the word should be swapped for the generic he.
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This was an obviously patriarchal decision,
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and during the 1970s, activists eventually convinced some usage guides to begin using he or she.
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But today, this quibble continues to cause confusion.
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Even though most official grammar guides have accepted they as both a singular and plural pronoun.
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This isn't the first time we've had this kind of pronoun predicament.
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For centuries, you was also considered an exclusively plural pronoun.
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And yet today, it's completely accepted in singular situations.
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And that's because grammar isn't a hard science.
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something we all build together to reflect the people using it.
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So however strange a rule's origins may be, the usage we choose to respect today is far from arbitrary.
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If you love learning, subscribe to our channel.
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Every week, we publish new videos on everything from the history of the world according to cats to how to be a better listener.
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Stay tuned and stay curious.
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Bye.

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Context & Background

In the engaging video titled "3 Grammar Rules That You Don’t Need to Follow Anymore," linguist Arika Okrent explores the origins and evolution of certain English grammar rules that many believe are set in stone. Okrent emphasizes that language is a living entity shaped by its users, urging learners to look at how historical perspectives on grammar continue to influence current usage. This progressive approach encourages English learners to feel more confident in their speech and provides insight into how to communicate effectively without being restrained by outdated conventions.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Where does this rule come from?” — A great example of a common sentence structure illustrating the use of prepositions.
  • “Fewer bottles” vs. “Less water” — A practical application of countable and uncountable nouns.
  • “They prefer to identify with ‘they/them.’” — Supporting inclusive language is crucial for respectful communication.
  • “More than just a rule” — A phrase that highlights the need for evolving our understanding of grammar.
  • “English is a language of the people.” — A reminder that language belongs to its speakers, encouraging personal expression.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize shadowing techniques while watching this video, follow these steps that aim to improve your English pronunciation and fluency:

  1. Listen Actively: Watch the video without interruption and familiarize yourself with the speaker's tone and rhythm.
  2. Replay Sections: Play back short sections, paying close attention to the phrases highlighted. Use a shadowing app to help you track your progress.
  3. Imitate: Repeat what you hear, mimicking the accent and intonation. This practice can significantly enhance your ability to articulate complex structures, making you feel more confident during your IELTS speaking practice.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your mobile device to record your shadow speech. Compare your pronunciation with that of the speaker to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Seek Feedback: If possible, share your recordings with a teacher or language partner who can provide constructive criticism. Engaging with others strengthens your grasp of grammatical nuances.

By following these steps, you'll not only enhance your ability to speak fluently but also deepen your understanding of how grammar works within the evolving English language landscape. Embracing this flexibility can lead to more effective communication and a better overall learning experience.

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.

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