Do not let issues of pronunciation, limited vocabulary, or limited fluency (verbal) bog you down. The intent of this post is to help you see why this will not be a challenge (for the coming few years) and assure you that there is

In the initial years of your law firm, the only expectation from associates is to churn out agreement drafts, opinions, memos and emails which are:

1) sound in law, backed by solid legal research;

2) SIMPLY written without use of unnecessary words like wherefore etc and other fancy/archaic words;

3) presented with a logical flow; and

4) properly formatted.

If you have all this, then no matter - small town background, halting spoken English, etc. don't really matter. At least, till you're an SA.

Now here comes the fun part, Partners and PAs (if they're lucky enough to have a professional Partner invested in their growth), like to hog client calls, negotiations and all other external non-verbal communications, to the exclusion of others. Therefore, you're spoken English won't really be tested for the longest time. Which, theoretically, gives you ame time to up your game on that front (if you're so inclined).

A word to the wise - your spoken English is definitely an asset, but it's peripheral in value at best. No amount of vocabulary, accent (fake?) or gift of the gab can compensate for abject lack of legal skills and knowledge.

Let me give you an anecdote - I was working on a deal 3 years ago opposite a partner from a firm in Delhi (the one imploding now) and in the initial negotiation call I came away feeling really impressed by her accent and the way she spoke. I had been just staffed on the matter so I had no way to gauge her technical and legal soundness on the call. As the matter progressed, she kept up with the accent and it was clearer with each call that her knowledge was superficial at best and non existent at worst. This was painfully clear to our clients (high powered - eat their lawyer for lunch - PE folks) who would mute themselves and laugh at her in our conference room. The situation became so bad that my Partner, a normal without accent English speaker, was clearly dominating the negotiations and the counter party client used to cringe at their counsel's negotiations.

Moral of the story: all that glitters isn't gold. Have faith, don't compromise on your legal skills and if you feel so strongly, work on your spoken English (trust me you have time).

Can you see how much Odisha and Jharkhand boys are rocking in law firms. They have become well known partners. Big cities are only 6-8, baaki sab small town hain.

Yours truly also belongs to a very small town which has only 1 decent school and no good hospitals. But I am doing well for the past 7 years (do not intend to brag). Moral: It does not matter, confidence is the key and we create our own oaths.

Judiciary wale are conditioned by HC to be under confident. If you are slightly confident or communicate with HC in English, the reply will also have your transfer order. Move out of a Metro City and see the plight of judicial officers in other states, especially Hindi speaking belt. CJMs spend less time in hearing 156(3), and more in VIP duty of HC and SC judges. If you ever observe their VIP duty routine and how the costs are borne, you will never ever think of becoming a judicial officer.

The person you're replying to didn't claim to be underprivileged; neither did OP. Both just mentioned a lack of confidence because they had not been speaking English fluently, and more generally speaking, they don't find themselves being accepted by the 'big city' folks due to cultural differences. Privilege is not in focus here.

Been there, faced that. Trust me, all this would seem trivial in a couple of years. Because if English speaking skills are all that, I would aspire to be more like my call center cousin Janardan (Jordan by night) who beguiles those sweet, trusting American nanas into revealing their SSNs.

But I feel you, it seems soul-crushing right now. Most likely, your apprehensions are twin-fold: at professional and personal level (I may be presuming things and imposing my experience onto yours, but bear with me).

Professional: First off, like I implied, Good Spoken English ≠ Good Lawyer. But given how shallow things tend to get, understandable why it's a reason for worry. Start off with being very good with academics. Develop an understanding of your texts and the law that's above par. Ace your exams. That's a sure shot way to win regard of your peers, including the big city ones, boosting your self-confidence. As for speaking skills, as you read more, your vocab gets enriched automatically. You can join your local Toastmasters chapter, converse more in English (no matter the mistakes, that girl from Sobo will not lay in bed thinking how you mispronounced awry), watch more content in English. These habits get internalized and before long, you will talk English, walk English. :)

Personal: cz you feel judged, you feel you aren't moving with the 'it' crowd, you fear missing on the 'cool experiences' that this 'elite' section will partake in etc. But trust me you, you would not want those experiences by pretending someone you are not. Pro tip for surviving law school is just being yourself. You will attract people with similar wavelengths, be they from small town or big. Remember, superficial commonalities like throwing pop culture references or bragging about your favorite sushi from that upscale eatery can only get friendships so far. Hard to believe but even in this day and age, lifelong friendships are rooted in virtues like loyalty, empathy and such. You can of course, broaden your horizons- pick new hobbies, travel, intern at unconventional places. But only to add aspects to your personality, not to just 'fit-in'.

And 10 years down the line, as you look back on life, with a great career with great (or even mediocre) English speaking skills, you would not want to change a thing, not a thing, about your small town childhood/upbringing.

All of the above are good suggestions for litigation. Public speaking to large crowds as a skill is barely used in law firms btw. So long as you are comfortable and confident in your knowledge of the law, can think and express yourself clearly in writing or in one-on-one/ small groups, are diligent in research, you will be seen as a great hire for several roles whether at a firm, in house or maybe even a non law role. Don't put yourself down too much. A lot of confidence also comes from solid knowledge backing up whatever you're saying! Faffing is appreciated in the real world faaaar less than in law schools :) lastly don't underestimate the usefulness of being a well educated lawyer fluent in your mother tongue!! It can open up doors not accessible to metro kids who only speak & write English

Hi don't be disheartened. My father was in judiciary and I studied at remoted of places. I was academically good, but hesitated while speaking in public. It gets better with time, trust me. I made a partner in 10years and speak at public forums now. Listen to good speakers, videos, podcasts, read newspapers regularly and just SPEAK!! When you make sense, people listen!! Good luck, I am sure one day you will have a similar story to share !

I once mispronounced 'railway' as 'rylway' as some south Indians generally pronounce in their vernacular, in a school filled with people coming from cultural capital. The teacher herself sniggered.

Obviously I felt bad and all because what more was a kid to do? A little while on I came across this piece of wisdom - do not ever feel bad about not knowing how to pronounce words, because that means you have taken the pain to read about it. It is just that you were not fortunate enough to have heard it being said aloud.

Follow this idea in everything you do and you'll very soon start making these people who only rely on their cultural capital feel insecure.

The world needs you, go for it.

1. Don't overthink.
2. Read some self-help books.
3. Might be just me, but this had helped me overcome what you're describing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc&ab_channel=TED

'fake it till you make it'

The key to this is practice. I also had a huge culture shock and lowered self confidence after l started studying in a certain top tier NLU in South India. People will be judgemental, don't take it to heart. Participate in moots and debates even if it's scary at first, you'll keep getting better and the fear goes away eventually.

Hey guys, I am studying in one of the NLUs located in a big city. I was a good student and a good speaker in my small town school, however, after entering college I see all these people from the city speaking fluently in English and doing so well. I am not jealous of them. I just feel my self confidence has dropped down and I keep second guessing myself and questioning everything I do. I know I can do better than this but I get so intimidated and fumble so much while speaking. It sucks. I just wish I had studied in a big city to get a better exposure than what I have now. I made the best use of the resources which were available and obviously I am grateful for everyone who helped me achieve my goals. But it seems it still isn't enough here. Also, I feel like I am constantly being judged by everyone here.
Umm so can I do anything to improve upon myself and let go of this stupid fear?