Bleakus
- sniper420 wrote:
- Bleakus wrote:
I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....
hehehe .....like arnold's accent.....yao thalking tou mee?
dude it works
MaaaD
Interesting topic
What do you think ? Do any of you talk differently at work than how they would talk at home or with friends ?
St.Lucifer
Yes, Ofcourse we talk to differnt people.. can u imagine talking to the laundry guys or to the carpenter who's doing the interiors for your co in in King's English. There's a definite difference in my accent when i talk to different ppl. but i think thats more of a natural thing to happen... it may b just me..
dbxsoul
yes, yes, same, same
JeepDude
yep. but it is more about trying to put people at ease/blend in, as opposed to using the accent to differentiate you from the rest of the group.
PrettyPenny
Yup. Its completely subconscious and I don't realise when I'm doing it. But I switch all the time. Almost like using various dialects of English.
girl_glen
- MaaaD wrote:
Interesting topic
What do you think ? Do any of you talk differently at work than how they would talk at home or with friends ?
Come to think of it, I seem to adapt the accent of the person I am talking / conversing with.
xibit
yes accent is very important , for eg. u can not take ur ghetto accent in a business meeting and act all professional.
naw a mean dawg
sage & onion
I have had to adapt and change over the years and now people don't really know where I am from, which is also OK.
shafique
I don't change my accent - but I do get very strange looks when I start speaking sometimes.
I have a clearly British accent and I've found people here do a double-take sometimes :). I also speak Mauritian - but unfortunately speak it with a British accent!
Anyway, the vocabulary I use will change from situation to situation (friends vs business vs children vs family) but not the accent, unless I'm trying to make a point in another accent.
Accent is important though in how a person is perceived - but so is what is said and how it is said. Words and how they are used are an indication of a person's mastery of a language, which sometimes is taken as a proxy for education or skill.
Cheers,
Shafique
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Sara1983
of course I do, I sure most does....
pinoy1
But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's
their language that's why.
shafique
- pinoy1 wrote:
But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.
You may be surprised at the variation in accents within the UK and US - and if you click through to the article referred to in the first post you will see that they are actually talking about people
in the UK changing their accents.
I agree that accents should not be a basis for judging - but they are.
The applies to other languages as well. French accents vary and there is a class distinction which extends to accent - the 'BCBJ' class (equivalent of upper class in UK) have an accent and this is the (roughly) the equivalent of 'oxford' or 'queen's' English in the UK.
Cheers,
Shafique
dubai girl
Well, my accent is one that is very destinctive, and incriminating. I was born in West Texas (Amarillo, TX), raised there and formed a extreme Texas accent. My mother has often said she doesn't know where in the hell I got this accent. If I am with southern people my accent turns totally mush...........and I almost scare myself when I talk.
God, I hope I'm never judged by my accent! While here, I have been accused from various people of being "British", think it is the way I carry myself. The first time I was asked if I was British my comment back was, "No, I'm a Texan"!!! I was very new here, and hadn't experienced that question before. I have to laugh when I think about it due to my accent. Had been working with this gentleman for hours, and was shocked by his comment.
sage & onion
- dubai girl wrote:
Well, my accent is one that is very destinctive, and incriminating. I was born in West Texas (Amarillo, TX), raised there and formed a extreme Texas accent. My mother has often said she doesn't know where in the hell I got this accent. If I am with southern people my accent turns totally mush...........and I almost scare myself when I talk.
God, I hope I'm never judged by my accent! While here, I have been accused from various people of being "British", think it is the way I carry myself. The first time I was asked if I was British my comment back was, "No, I'm a Texan"!!! I was very new here, and hadn't experienced that question before. I have to laugh when I think about it due to my accent. Had been working with this gentleman for hours, and was shocked by his comment.
This must be the first time that I have ever heard that a Texas accent can be likened to a British accent, I know we have some strange ones, but not that strange :lol:
pinoy1
I reckon that 'aint bloody common around here.
shafique
In terms of 'British' accents - I've heard loads of accents here:
- Brummy (Birmingham)
- Mancunian (Manchester)
- Yorkshire
- Welsh
- Geordie (Newcastle)
- Cockney (East London)
- Scouse (Liverpool)
and the plummy Queen's English.
Oh - and there's also the West Country accent sported by one of our prolific posters on this Forum! :)
It's not surprising, therefore, to hear of a Texan being mistaken for a 'Britisher' :)
Cheers,
Shafique
XRW-147
Once accent, just raise your voice if they don't understand.
Bleakus
I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....
sniper420
- Bleakus wrote:
I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....
hehehe .....like arnold's accent.....yao thalking tou mee?
pinoy1
and on sentence construction...
I was explaining something to a guy of diffrent nationality as I and he was having a hard time understanding what I'm saying. Until I broke my sentences down to the "main" words.
Yes, I'm quite sure I have it right the first try, ok? :wink:
pinoy1
another funny stereotypical thing is that how english-speaking dudes tend to raise their voice and talk rrreal slow when speaking with, say, an asian person.. :roll: :lol:
shafique
- pinoy1 wrote:
another funny stereotypical thing is that how english-speaking dudes tend to raise their voice and talk rrreal slow when speaking with, say, an asian person.. :roll: :lol:
Wot's funny 'bout that ??
It's how we brits speak foreign - ennit!
Bleakus
Sign language also works ;)
rundezvous
i do change accents, depending who your talking with...sometimes other people cant understandmy english using my "american accent", but my boss sure does appreciate it so i use it in the office, and switch it off after work hours, funny but its true
Bleakus
- rundezvous wrote:
i do change accents, depending who your talking with...sometimes other people cant understandmy english using my "american accent", but my boss sure does appreciate it so i use it in the office, and switch it off after work hours, funny but its true
i have that thing too
dale
- St.Lucifer wrote:
King's English. ..
:roll:
or the queen's?
:P
zam
Your accent...does it matter??
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes :lol:
It matters to daily life.
It matters to your salary range.
It matters to Immigration Q & A.
Etc.
Chocoholic
- pinoy1 wrote:
But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.
I was going to say you can't just use the definition of 'British' or 'American' as there are hundreds of different accents within these countries, just like any other. A Geordie sounds nothing like a Liverpudlian or someone from Birmingham or the Cornish. Also dont' forget you have Scottish and Welsh accents in there as well, plus all their different variations.
arniegang
- Chocoholic wrote:
- pinoy1 wrote:
But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.
I was going to say you can't just use the definition of 'British' or 'American' as there are hundreds of different accents within these countries, just like any other. A Geordie sounds nothing like a Liverpudlian or someone from Birmingham or the Cornish. Also dont' forget you have Scottish and Welsh accents in there as well, plus all their different variations.
and not forgeting the posh home counties accent init Chocs :wink:
kanelli
When I speak most people think I am American (Hello! There is a large country located to the North of the US.), but I have also had people say that I am British or Australian. Those weren't native English speakers who said that by the way :) Funny thing is now when I am back in Canada I have some people asking me where I come from. I guess I have picked up a bit of an accent from living abroad. To be honest, I don't notice it.
Chocoholic
- arniegang wrote:
- Chocoholic wrote:
- pinoy1 wrote:
But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.
I was going to say you can't just use the definition of 'British' or 'American' as there are hundreds of different accents within these countries, just like any other. A Geordie sounds nothing like a Liverpudlian or someone from Birmingham or the Cornish. Also dont' forget you have Scottish and Welsh accents in there as well, plus all their different variations.
and not forgeting the posh home counties accent init Chocs :wink:
Yeah, yeah, but funnily enough, most people say I have an Australian twang - go figure.
Princess Banana Hammock
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
slap
princess banana hammock,.....wow ... nice nick !
Chocoholic
- Princess Banana Hammock wrote:
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
Allright my lover! That'll be 5 and twenny paaast that I'll be meeting thee for my supper - hehehehe.
Spent years in Devon and Cornwall!
sage & onion
- Chocoholic wrote:
- Princess Banana Hammock wrote:
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
Allright my lover! That'll be 5 and twenny paaast that I'll be meeting thee for my supper - hehehehe.
Spent years in Devon and Cornwall!
Where the cider apples grow, Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Chocoholic
Man, some of the accents there are really thick, particularly in the farming villages, takes ages to work out what people are saying. Brummies are hard to work out as well.
sage & onion
- Chocoholic wrote:
Man, some of the accents there are really thick, particularly in the farming villages, takes ages to work out what people are saying. Brummies are hard to work out as well.
What about the people from the North East Geordies, now that takes some beating as far as accents go.
Newcastle Brown Ale also takes some beating :lol:
XRW-147
- Chocoholic wrote:
Yeah, yeah, but funnily enough, most people say I have an Australian twang - go figure.
They weren't tone dead were they Chocs?
bushra21
i dont know why, but i dont have one set accent...perhaps from moving around so much? honestly, when people here me speak they have no idea where i am from in any language that i am speaking -- english, arabic, farsi....everyone is confused. but they say its cute -- especialy when i speak in arabic, all my friends say its adorable, but i think my accent is starting to rub off on them because my local friends cant speak completely local anymore! lol they started to speak like me....hahahahaha
:twisted:
poppy
not even my american friends can understand me when im talkin to my peeps back home, cos of this ruff neck london accent i have.
over the years ive obtained and adapted a few accents (complete with hand gestures) to the countries ive lived in to make communication easier.
i also find myself saying stuff like:
"we go with car or we walk?"
"this good or no?"
and one of my favs
"please, you take, this from my heart"...
sniper420
- kanelli wrote:
When I speak most people think I am American (Hello! There is a large country located to the North of the US.), but I have also had people say that I am British or Australian. Those weren't native English speakers who said that by the way :) Funny thing is now when I am back in Canada I have some people asking me where I come from. I guess I have picked up a bit of an accent from living abroad. To be honest, I don't notice it.
u r back in Canada!!! no wonder it rained hail stones 2 days ago and it did hurt alot!
arniegang
- Chocoholic wrote:
- Princess Banana Hammock wrote:
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
Allright my lover! That'll be 5 and twenny paaast that I'll be meeting thee for my supper - hehehehe.
Spent years in Devon and Cornwall!
Oi you Chocs
jest cuz you is some posh bird from up near the smoke, dunt meen you can have yer go at us down west cuntry way.
Dam city posh folk it makes me wanna drive me tractor over yer way ann dump ye load of mother nature on yer driveway.
arniegang
- Princess Banana Hammock wrote:
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
yer quite right me babby, giz a snog
:lol:
arniegang
- Chocoholic wrote:
- Princess Banana Hammock wrote:
Nothing like a good West Country accent... aint that right Babs (Arnie)!
:D
Allright my lover! That'll be 5 and twenny paaast that I'll be meeting thee for my supper - hehehehe.
Spent years in Devon and Cornwall!
and its ........
5 and twenty past the hour
and...
suppar not supper
:lol: :lol: :lol:
shafique
...and my favourite W Country saying:
"oi can't reed an' oi can' rite, bu' tha' don' ma''er - coz oi drive a big red trac'or "
:)
sage & onion
- shafique wrote:
...and my favourite W Country saying:
"oi can't reed an' oi can' rite, bu' tha' don' ma''er - coz oi drive a big red trac'or "
:)
Now that is some accent :lol: :lol: :lol:
arniegang
sadly SGO we do actually talk like that
correct = Krec , oooohhh i see = oooohhhhhhh arrrrrrrrrr
:oops: :oops: :oops: