I want to talk about the uncanny valley and how it applies to language learning, especially when it comes to people's obsession with sounding like a native speaker.

Let me preface this by saying that I think I speak French pretty decently. It might take a discerning listener a couple of minutes before they realize I'm not French. However, I don't strive to speak French or any of the languages I speak like a native. And here's why.

The notion of the uncanny valley, which comes from computer science, refers to the unsettling feeling people get when they encounter something that is almost but not quite human-like. For example, lifelike robots with realistic facial expressions can be off-putting, even scary, to people who realize they're not real. On the other hand, non-human-like objects, such as teddy bears or dragons, don't evoke the same discomfort.

I find that the same concept applies to language learning. If you obsess too much about sounding like a native, people might notice the slight differences, and it can be more jarring than if you don't try that hard. I strive to have good pronunciation, but not necessarily to sound like a native. By doing so, I feel less pressure, and it helps me avoid reaching that uncanny valley where my language skills are close but not quite right.

This is my personal take on the matter, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree. Feel free to share your feedback, as I appreciate all perspectives.

In the meantime, I hope you have another productive week ahead, and happy language learning!