A cup of ... what???
#76
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Originally Posted by dan_alford
I tend to gump it only for my wifes elderly relatives who just don't understand me if I speak normally. With Drive thru's you have to bastardize words due to the low education of the workforce. They have enough problems trying to understand local people.
However, my number 1 pet peeve is those damned voice telephone systems which DONT have a number backup. I get sick and tired of hearing " I'm sorry, i didn't understand your response, please choose from the following....". If I have to call one of those places I just hand the phone to my wife once I realize you cant go to numbers.
However, my number 1 pet peeve is those damned voice telephone systems which DONT have a number backup. I get sick and tired of hearing " I'm sorry, i didn't understand your response, please choose from the following....". If I have to call one of those places I just hand the phone to my wife once I realize you cant go to numbers.
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#77
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I thought it was just xenophobic brits going across the channel for a booze cruise or off to Spain/Greece for a fortnight who refuse to attempt to speak the language of the country they are visiting
apparently not
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#78
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Originally Posted by Kate2112
I thought it was just xenophobic brits going across the channel for a booze cruise or off to Spain/Greece for a fortnight who refuse to attempt to speak the language of the country they are visiting
apparently not
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I have no idea which part of the UK you are from, but let us assume you are English.
So when you go to Scotland, Wales or Ireland you start mimicking those accents?
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#79
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Originally Posted by Kate2112
I thought it was just xenophobic brits going across the channel for a booze cruise or off to Spain/Greece for a fortnight who refuse to attempt to speak the language of the country they are visiting
apparently not
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Well we are British.
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#80
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Originally Posted by Elvira
I have no idea which part of the UK you are from, but let us assume you are English.
So when you go to Scotland, Wales or Ireland you start mimicking those accents?
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So when you go to Scotland, Wales or Ireland you start mimicking those accents?
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Originally Posted by Kate2112
I thought it was just xenophobic brits going across the channel for a booze cruise or off to Spain/Greece for a fortnight who refuse to attempt to speak the language of the country they are visiting
apparently not
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#82
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Originally Posted by Elvira
I have no idea which part of the UK you are from, but let us assume you are English.
So when you go to Scotland, Wales or Ireland you start mimicking those accents?
![Roll Eyes](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
So when you go to Scotland, Wales or Ireland you start mimicking those accents?
![Roll Eyes](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
American English is rooted in many different countries takes on the English language, it is not derived solely from the British Isles. We dont have to arrogantly pronounce "Water" in the US expecting to be understood and it wont kill us to try. We can adapt gracefully or remain misunderstood.
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#83
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Originally Posted by dan_alford
Or if kate2112 is american, would she put on a canadian accent if she went to Canada or a Caribean accent in the Caribean?
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#84
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Originally Posted by Kate2112
When I go to a foreign country I dont expect people to be able to understand my pronunciation of a word unless I am pronouncing it correctly in their language. I am from the UK, I do have a southern England accent and on occasion I have changed/adapted my pronunciation of a word in a part of the UK that has found it difficult to understand my accent without feeling I have mocked or condescended their accent.
American English is rooted in many different countries takes on the English language, it is not derived solely from the British Isles. We dont have to arrogantly pronounce "Water" in the US expecting to be understood and it wont kill us to try. We can adapt gracefully or remain misunderstood.
American English is rooted in many different countries takes on the English language, it is not derived solely from the British Isles. We dont have to arrogantly pronounce "Water" in the US expecting to be understood and it wont kill us to try. We can adapt gracefully or remain misunderstood.
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#85
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Originally Posted by Kate2112
When I go to a foreign country I dont expect people to be able to understand my pronunciation of a word unless I am pronouncing it correctly in their language. I am from the UK, I do have a southern England accent and on occasion I have changed/adapted my pronunciation of a word in a part of the UK that has found it difficult to understand my accent without feeling I have mocked or condescended their accent.
American English is rooted in many different countries takes on the English language, it is not derived solely from the British Isles. We dont have to arrogantly pronounce "Water" in the US expecting to be understood and it wont kill us to try. We can adapt gracefully or remain misunderstood.
American English is rooted in many different countries takes on the English language, it is not derived solely from the British Isles. We dont have to arrogantly pronounce "Water" in the US expecting to be understood and it wont kill us to try. We can adapt gracefully or remain misunderstood.
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#86
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But i do try to alter my pronunciation. I'll add "-oh" to the end of words so they understand me.. throw in a por favor at the end.. and well they are just dumb at that point if they are still having trouble.
"Where-oh Can-oh me-oh rent-oh car-oh por favor?"
"Where-oh Can-oh me-oh rent-oh car-oh por favor?"
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#87
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Originally Posted by dan_alford
I think one of the problems is that it is the same language. I can speak some french and am not afraid of talking to french people even though I might screw up badly. Here though, I am often scared to attempt to put on too much of an accent with anyone I don't know in case they think I am taking the piss and take offence, especially here in the south with such a strong accent which is often the target of jokes and stereotypes.
Dan
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Originally Posted by dan_alford
I think one of the problems is that it is the same language. I can speak some french and am not afraid of talking to french people even though I might screw up badly. Here though, I am often scared to attempt to put on too much of an accent with anyone I don't know in case they think I am taking the piss and take offence, especially here in the south with such a strong accent which is often the target of jokes and stereotypes.
Dan
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I would just feel silly...
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Originally Posted by Partystar
I can't eat American plastic cheese, it makes me heave just thinking about it!
I love their Strawberry Limeades, yum!
I love their Strawberry Limeades, yum!
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#90
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Originally Posted by dan_alford
Living in the south I find that sometimes I have to "Gump" my accent to get people to understand me. The word that causes the most problems for me
is strawberry. In the south it is pronounced strawbry, with the r almost being silent. Everytime I order a milkshake it is a russian roulette what flavor I will get.
is strawberry. In the south it is pronounced strawbry, with the r almost being silent. Everytime I order a milkshake it is a russian roulette what flavor I will get.
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however if I am in the UK I will say "strawb'ry" and "raz'b'ry" -- not really changing ACCENT but pronunciation.
And I ask for ice cubes.... failing that, frozen water, ice klontjes (it's something like that in Dutch!), hielo, glace, whatever.
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