Is your accent a problem here?
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: marietta GA
Posts: 34
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Husband just told me that chap in his work who has strongish North east england accent has just taken new posting back in UK as never managed to gain much credibility with the americans. Those with strongish regional accents themselves ( TN, north GA) seemed to have the most problem. Husband seems to do ok with his Southern/ neutral accent as they think he sounds like Hugh Grant. [hopefully not such an annoying tit though]
I got told at the Post office the other day that I sound like Mary Poppins! Not too thrilled about that either!
I'm sure what you're facing is as a result of economic downturn- but you might want to get out the elocution tapes just in case - all together now "the rain in spain...." good luck though
#47
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
I do think a heavy regional UK accent could be a barrier in many jobs, and I would make an effort if I were you to 'tone it down'. I say this simply because you have to be clearly understood in most lines of work - every word counts (consider how much flack Indian 'call center' workers get for their accents - you are probably harder to understand than an Indian, if you are not making any effort to adapt). Since it comes naturally to me, it's easy for me to say but I can't imagine that it is that hard to do.
Do you just have a heavy accent, or do you also use 'regional phrases' ... I had friends from NE UK and they had a whole other vocabulary!
#48
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Atlanta via Dubai, Belgium, Greece, Saudi Arabia
Posts: 953
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Another Atlanta resident here,
I left Teesside 30+ years ago and have definitely had to moderate my accent to make myself understood in my travels to over 40 countries.
My US mother in law says I have a strong accent but as I keep telling her if I spoke today the way I spoke as a child growing up in Darlington she would only understand every 5th word coming out of my mouth.
Personally I find having a British accent regardless of where in the UK you are from, is an icebreaker, people tend to remember you faster when you call them on the phone, they tend to be more amenable/flexible when dealing with me rather than Americans who ask the same question
So long as you are understood in normal conversations here, regional accents shouldn’t be the cause of you not getting a job, tough economic times are another thing all together.
I left Teesside 30+ years ago and have definitely had to moderate my accent to make myself understood in my travels to over 40 countries.
My US mother in law says I have a strong accent but as I keep telling her if I spoke today the way I spoke as a child growing up in Darlington she would only understand every 5th word coming out of my mouth.
Personally I find having a British accent regardless of where in the UK you are from, is an icebreaker, people tend to remember you faster when you call them on the phone, they tend to be more amenable/flexible when dealing with me rather than Americans who ask the same question
So long as you are understood in normal conversations here, regional accents shouldn’t be the cause of you not getting a job, tough economic times are another thing all together.
#49
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I think the barrier is more one of using American phraseology and syllable emphasis than pronunciation. "Do you have any?" instead of "Have you got any?"; and "g'RAAGE" instead of "GAridge.
#50
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hubby LOVES his accent because it makes him stand out to people - they all love hearing it and, as such, love him (could be because he's such a swell guy too though )
But I get annoyed with the idiots who will say they can't understand him or when he has to repeat himself over and over. Though honestly that doesn't happen as much anymore - I think mostly they're just fascinated and want to hear him say ANYthing. LOL.
But I get annoyed with the idiots who will say they can't understand him or when he has to repeat himself over and over. Though honestly that doesn't happen as much anymore - I think mostly they're just fascinated and want to hear him say ANYthing. LOL.
#51
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Hi Y'all
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
Been in Atlanta since March. In a job since August but not my trade (PR/Comms) and looking around now.
Had five interviews in the past month, didn't land any of them and while my qualifications and experience seem to fit, something isn't quite landing.
My wife suggests it might be my strong-ish North Eastern accent, which whilst charming in the UK, is a different kettle of fish in the US, particularly the South.
Has anybody else ran into trouble with their accent here? (unusual I know because you'd think we spoke the same language but all the same).
#52
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I like this website... http://web.ku.edu/~idea/
Regional dialects from all over the world. Hearing the difference from Maine to North Carolina to Wales to Newcastle to London is interesting.
Regional dialects from all over the world. Hearing the difference from Maine to North Carolina to Wales to Newcastle to London is interesting.
#53
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I like this website... http://web.ku.edu/~idea/
Regional dialects from all over the world. Hearing the difference from Maine to North Carolina to Wales to Newcastle to London is interesting.
Regional dialects from all over the world. Hearing the difference from Maine to North Carolina to Wales to Newcastle to London is interesting.
#54
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 436
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
This link is for all Geordie's ( and I are one) who are trying to get jobs worldwide. It may help their prospective employer.
http://www.geordie.org.uk/index.htm
Ye knaa what ah mean leik.
http://www.geordie.org.uk/index.htm
Ye knaa what ah mean leik.
#56
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, Ga (ex Birmingham UK)
Posts: 490
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Only because there is not much difference between that and Long John Silver.
God knows what I sound like - my Brummie faded at an early age - probably due to a concious (but misguided) effort to be perceived as intelligent. Don't get me wrong - I love the accent. I tell my US friends that if I spoke with the accent of my birth, I would sound like Ozzie Osbourne - they can get a handle on that.
Now Cindy reckons my Brummie only comes out when I am drunk or angry (btw I'm never both ).
God knows what I sound like - my Brummie faded at an early age - probably due to a concious (but misguided) effort to be perceived as intelligent. Don't get me wrong - I love the accent. I tell my US friends that if I spoke with the accent of my birth, I would sound like Ozzie Osbourne - they can get a handle on that.
Now Cindy reckons my Brummie only comes out when I am drunk or angry (btw I'm never both ).
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I've always found my English accent to be an advantage - especially with American women