Arabic and English phonological systems are
totally different in everything sounds, emphasis placed, vowels, consonant and
expressing meanings and that goes with writing system as well. All these
differences will affect Arabic speakers when they talk in English.
When
native Arabic speakers learn English they go through many problems like distinguishing
between (p) and (b), and that will lead us to talk about the influence
of the first language (mother tongue), and because the sound (P) is not in the
Arabic sound system many Arab learners will find it difficult to focus when
they talk. The problem is that simple mistake in pronouncing the sound (P) will
lead to big problem in understanding, for instance the word (Park) when it pronounced
with (B) sound it will completely change the meaning of the word.
As a result, teachers have to do extra work with
their Arabic students to help them get over some of the pronunciation problems
by giving them more oral tasks to make them speak more and to correct them when
they pronounce the word wrong. Encouraging them to concentrate more while they
talk and teach them to never be shy when they talk, all that will build a self-confidence
which will help and motivate them to produce the sounds correctly.
