Why do people assume you are stupid if you speak with an accent. No seriously, people have this annoying look when they hear you have an accent or become downright nasty and offensive to the point they interrupt and cut you off. So my question to you folks is, when you hear someone speak with an accent (spanish, asian, arab, etc) do you change the way you would carry the conversation with that person.

Ree by the tone of your post i can tell you speak with an accent. you should die and go to hell because of that. learn to speak with an american accent or at the least mimic a mexican one. people would have more respect for you in that case. like i've said in many posts before, welcome to america!

LoL i sometimes intentionally speak with an accent and heavily pronounce some words to see the reaction on people's faces.

does your mother know you are gay?

Lee Wrote:
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> Why do people assume you are stupid if you speak
> with an accent. No seriously, people have this
> annoying look when they hear you have an accent or
> become downright nasty and offensive to the point
> they interrupt and cut you off. So my question to
> you folks is, when you hear someone speak with an
> accent (spanish, asian, arab, etc) do you change
> the way you would carry the conversation with that
> person.

I know what you are talking about.

It's because those people have not had much exposure to people who speak other languages.

I grew up in the military, and lived in Germany and Hawaii, so I "hear through" accents, and sometimes don't even think about a person's accent, because I'm so used to hearing different dialects, inflections and accents.

For a lot of people, they are lucky if they ever visited North Alabama after growing up in South Alabama. At least that way, they can understand North Alabam accents. They'll have serious problems if they ever scratch enough money together to get on a plane and visit Chicago, or New York City.

When it comes to all those brown people, they'll never be able to understand them.

Education is an amazing thing. Experiencing various cultures is also an amazing thing.

bloody blisters Wrote:
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> does your mother know you are gay?
The gay joke is getting old, how old are u kid, 12?

he, no my kids are 5 and 7. if the gay jokes are getting old that means you hear them a lot, thus meaning that you have a higher possibility of being gay. it cant be that everyone else is wrong all the time, when in fact you may be wrong yourself. so on a side note i think your mother will be heart broken to hear the "straight" facts. so i suggest you kill her before she kill herself!

Be fair Lee...

When people hear an accent, they automatically sense a language barrier. They don't know if you have a hard time speaking english, or if you are doing it intentionally to see the reactions on people's faces.

OF COURSE, people will change the way they will carry on the conversation with you. They are going to speak slowly, as a FAVOR to you, because they don't know you... Since they don't know you, they don't know how much English you know!

"Normal" conversations don't usually occur with people with accents. Don't be offended if people treat you differently because you talk differently. Think of it as a learning opportunity...

Edit: Removed ledundancies



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2009 01:20AM by Harry Tuttle.

Sometimes it just doesn't matter :)

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 09:54PM by Alias.

add - of the closet - at the end of out




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2009 01:48AM by bloody blisters.

Harry Tuttle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Be fair Lee...
>
> When people hear an accent, they automatically
> sense a language barrier. They don't know if you
> have a hard time speaking english, or if you are
> doing it intentionally to see the reactions on
> people's faces.
>
> OF COURSE, people will change the way they will
> carry on the conversation with you. They are going
> to speak slowly, as a FAVOR to you, because they
> don't know you... Since they don't know you, they
> don't know how much English you know!
>
> "Normal" conversations don't usually occur with
> people with accents. Don't be offended if people
> treat you differently because you talk
> differently. Think of it as a learning
> opportunity...
>
> Edit: Removed ledundancies


I encounter all kinds of people who speak with accents throughout the day.

I never immediately assume that they can't understand me, or that I can't undersand them.

I assume that they understand me until they say "hunh?" or "what?" or "say again?"

I'm pretty used to dealing with people from various cultures and who speak different languages. If they can speak english, with even the thickest of accents, I can figure out what they are saying, and if I have to ask them to repeat what they said, I would never do it in a condescending manner.

I think the people that start talking s-l-o-w-l-y are just trying to feel better about themselves at the non-native english speaker's expense.

Let's not forget, just because you don't understand what they are saying doesn't mean they don't understand what you are saying. It might be your provincial life experience limiting your ability to understand their dialect of english, while they understand you perfectly.

Thurston Moore Wrote:
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>
> I'm pretty used to dealing with people from
> various cultures and who speak different
> languages. If they can speak english, with even
> the thickest of accents, I can figure out what
> they are saying, and if I have to ask them to
> repeat what they said, I would never do it in a
> condescending manner.

But if you had a hard time understanding them, doesn't that automatically change the flow of "normal" conversation?

>
> I think the people that start talking s-l-o-w-l-y
> are just trying to feel better about themselves at
> the non-native english speaker's expense.

Why do you think that? How does speaking slowly disrespect the listener? Can't you see how it could be beneficial for someone learning English? Haven't you ever had the experience, even with native English speakers, where they misunderstood what you were saying?

>
> Let's not forget, just because you don't
> understand what they are saying doesn't mean they
> don't understand what you are saying.

Let's try that in reverse... Just because you can understand them doesn't mean they can understand you!

> It might be
> your provincial life experience limiting your
> ability to understand their dialect of english,
> while they understand you perfectly.

How does that mean they are trying to feel better about themselves at the accent speaker's expense?

I don't see how being talked to slowly is insulting in any way. If it does offend you, you may have an inferiority complex. Realize that there is a reason you are being treated in such a manner. It doesn't mean they think less of you (Of course, it doesn't mean they don't). Either way, don't take it personally!
Learn from it...

and where did Ree go? I didnt mean to scare you off with my fruent english. what a great llort eh saw. ya kno

Harry Tuttle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't see how being talked to slowly is
> insulting in any way. If it does offend you, you
> may have an inferiority complex. Realize that
> there is a reason you are being treated in such a
> manner. It doesn't mean they think less of you (Of
> course, it doesn't mean they don't). Either way,
> don't take it personally!
> Learn from it...

I know that we're Americans, Fuck Yeah! and all. But have you ever tried talking to Dutch, or Spaniards, or Germans?

If they actually did that "D-o-o-o Y-o-o-u-u s-p-e-a-e-k e-n-g-l-s-h" shit on you, you would feel as belittled as they feel when some trailer park loser here in America pulls that shit on them.

I've worked as a hotel front desk clerk. I know how to deal with language barriers. Most provincial fools treat the other half of the language barrier as the problem. The language barrier is on both sides, and if you understand that, you will get beyond it, and you won't make the other person feel like shit for not understanding as much as you don't understand.

Thurston Moore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I know that we're Americans, Fuck Yeah! and all.

I'm American now, but I was born Mexican...

> But have you ever tried talking to Dutch, or
> Spaniards, or Germans?

Yeah, they're funny as hell. Every once in a while, they say something and you're like "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?" If they are secure, they will explain it without feeling insulted. (Like you said, the language barrier works both ways. They should be able to laugh at it as much as you)

>
> If they actually did that "D-o-o-o Y-o-o-u-u
> s-p-e-a-e-k e-n-g-l-s-h" shit on you, you would
> feel as belittled as they feel when some trailer
> park loser here in America pulls that shit on
> them.

That's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it would be that they understand your position and they want you to understand what they are saying.
More slower = more easier to understand.
If you don't like it when people speak slowly to you don't give them any reason to.

>
> I've worked as a hotel front desk clerk. I know
> how to deal with language barriers. Most
> provincial fools treat the other half of the
> language barrier as the problem. The language
> barrier is on both sides, and if you understand
> that, you will get beyond it, and you won't make
> the other person feel like shit for not
> understanding as much as you don't understand.

So you should know all about accommodation. If you have to speak more slowly for the person, or vice versa, you know that it doesn't mean you are stupid (or that they think less of you). If anything you can be proud that you are trying to accomplish such a tough thing, as learning a language, despite how difficult it can be.

.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 09:53PM by Alias.

Alias Wrote:
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> LOL
>
> Speaking of Europeans...
>
> Why do they smoke and drink and drive like
> maniacs?

Because they know how to enjoy life?

> Have you ever tried buying deodorant
> over there?

Nope, what's it like?

> And, this tradition in Spain. Why?

Because it's exhilarating and bulls are tasty...

ha the from Most Shocking Videos huh? and didn't the bulls read the "door etiquette" thread? i mean C'mon stay to the right and be polite



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2009 03:10AM by bloody blisters.

Bloody Blisters stop being obsessed with me you boy loving fagot.

i cant help it im attracted to accents.

From what little i know, only real men could run with Bulls. In fact its right of passage for young adults to do it. Most Americans are just too fat to run. Hahahah

Lee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bloody Blisters stop being obsessed with me you
> boy loving fagot.


How's life in Florida? Has your girlfriend cheated on you yet?

How many times have you fisted her?

not enough apparently, if he likes boy loving fagots.

Lee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bloody blisters Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > does your mother know you are gay?
> The gay joke is getting old, how old are u kid,
> 12?


gay.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

Thurston Moore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Bloody Blisters stop being obsessed with me you
> > boy loving fagot.
>
>
> How's life in Florida? Has your girlfriend
> cheated on you yet?
>
> How many times have you fisted her?


Boyfriend or girlfriend?

I don't know having an accent has often helped me more than hindered me...at least in the US...does me no good in England =). I've thought about trying to affect a southern drawl when I'm in northern England but it's just god awful, I'll probably get beaten if I tried it.

Because people want their fast food to be served to them without any screwups.

]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 09:48PM by Alias.

Lee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do people assume you are stupid if you speak
> with an accent. No seriously, people have this
> annoying look when they hear you have an accent or
> become downright nasty and offensive to the point
> they interrupt and cut you off. So my question to
> you folks is, when you hear someone speak with an
> accent (spanish, asian, arab, etc) do you change
> the way you would carry the conversation with that
> person.


It all depends on their command of the english language. If someone clearly does not understand english well enough to have a deep and engaging conversation, then ofcoarse you have to speak to them like theyre idiots.

]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 10:41PM by Alias.