Accent (page 2)

Frannie Banannie

Ah dont havan axint. Yall're tha onez withun axint. Yanno?

Threestars

Just be glad you're not "harpin" with folks from Boonville, CA.

http://avbc.com/visit/boontling.html

area0dude

Well, i do sometimes have problems with some of the African Americans accents. its tough dude

you might benefit from this site:

http://web.ku.edu/idea/index.htm

They have MP3 archives of many different areas around the world. First they get the reader to read scripted text, then get them to talk about something unscripted. You will then have a basis of reading and vowel pronunciation as well as how that translates into everyday speech.

If you want a treat, check out Canadian Accent from Newfoundland.

bigmouth

I love accents and enjoy mimicking them. Especially as we have a lot from 'the Old Country' over here. But we've been having a bit of a problem with the large number of Asian and Arab accents that seem to gravitate toward working in customer service for large companies.
My wife had to ask a lady who was in CS for an internet provider if she could speak to someone in English! She pleasantly replied that she was "seeking Engrish"LOL.
Recently I had to write to American Express because I simply could not get my message through to anyone on their service phone. My accent was the problem here.

I think the trick is to learn to become attuned to how vowels are used.

Spend time listening to comedians. Try Billy Connolly, Robin Williams, Bill Cosby and , say, George Carlin. When you can get all the jokes of those four without straining then I think you'll be getting the hang of deciphering accents.

Welcome to the board. I hope your No. 4 talks go from 'W's to 'G's.

Pete

OnTheWayOut

And perhaps watch more American TV with the close captioning turned on. That might help as well.

Agreed. Watch the local news for the local accents, but also watch the regular television
programs. Rent some movies that were set in the area you do business with.

Join a club of some kind if you want to, ask people in casual conversation what their statements
mean- tell them you don't understand.

restrangled

Hi and welcome to the Board.

you said: an immigrant worker who is now permanently based in North America

The United States, like every other nation has regional accents. I am from Chicago, and we are considered very "nasal" sounding.....there are also words used unique to this area.....One of them is "POP"...which covers Pepsi, Coke, 7-UP...etc. Where ever I go, people know I am from the Midwest.

There is the deep south drawl, and there are several varieties of that which is sometimes not understandable. There is the northeast with the Boston/New York/ New Jersey accent, and then the northern accent coming down from Canada.

There is a crazy Eubonics language that is taking hold also.

So don't feel bad about not understanding English in North America!

r.

Crumpet

find out where the accents originate that you have most difficulty and find out if there are any tv comedies dramas featuring these - then watch them with subtitles switched on.

Most towns have an "accent school" at the end of every street - they do in the UK!!!

jaguarbass

Accents are hard to understand. Americans have difficulty understanding English and Irish people. I live In Florida. I have difficulty understanding people from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Lousiana. Verbal communications can be difficult.

Accent