Is it normal to have trouble with accents?

[imported_Phil]

I've always had problems understanding foreign accents (although some are easier, like Greek or French)- Indian, Chinese and Japanese accents all throw me way off.

(This is when they're speaking English, you understand)

It gets to the point that if I'm not 100% awake, I'll make my girlfriend call a takeout place because I'll come across as a deaf retard.

Anyone else have this?

 

[StageLeft]

Some problems are normal but most places with foreigners working take out, I've always found, use people with an acceptable command of english.

 

[Mo0o]

no...

although down in NC i have trouble with the really heavy southern ebonics

 

[Adica]

At first I do, but when I get used to it - No problem. My boss has a thick Greek accent and my husband has a thick Indian accent, but I don't even hear them anymore.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
no...

although down in NC i have trouble with the really heavy southern ebonics

Ya'll come back now ye'hear!

for me, if I am thinking about alot of things at once, understanding perfect english can be a chore

 

[dighn]

dunno. i often have trouble understanding heavily accented english too.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Adica
At first I do, but when I get used to it - No problem. My boss has a thick Greek accent and my husband has a thick Indian accent, but I don't even hear them anymore.

all I read was what has been bolded

 

[DeMeo]

Spend a couple weeks in Miami, then you'll have no problem understanding any accent.

 

[EvilYoda]

Good question...I'm Chinese and my sister and I have always picked up new languages pretty easily, whereas if we're watching TV with my mom, she can hardly understand anybody with a heavy accent. Interesting stuff.

 

[SSP]

Sometimes I dont know what the fsck british people say in some movies.

 

[icejunkie]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Adica
At first I do, but when I get used to it - No problem. My boss has a thick Greek accent and my husband has a thick Indian accent, but I don't even hear them anymore.

all I read was what has been bolded

:laugh:

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: icejunkie

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Adica
At first I do, but when I get used to it - No problem. My boss has a thick Greek accent and my husband has a thick Indian accent, but I don't even hear them anymore.

all I read was what has been bolded

:laugh:

:evil:

 

[Spike]

I have a hard enough time just understanding Southern and Northeastern accents, let alone foreign ones. Well, on second thought, Asian accents are easy to understand but mid east and european are harder for me. Maybe it has to do with being in Seattle and having many asian friends, I'm not sure

-spike

 

[tami]

sometimes people have a hard time articulating words in the english language and that can throw off the average american.

such is normal -- but if you talk with them continuously, you'll understand more. i promise.

 

[PanzerIV]

I am in the South now and I still have a hard time figuring out what they are saying sometimes. Some people are much worse than others.

 

[Looney]

I find the hardest accents to understand are the middle-eastern... maybe it's because of all the asian accents that i've been exposed to, but i don't find them that hard.

Anyways, there are some southern accents that are extremely hard to understand as well for a Canadian.

 

[KarenMarie]

i dont have a problem understanding accents.. but i have the uncontrollable habit of correcting foreign ppl when they say things incorrectly. not to belittle or make fun of them... but i just figure that they would like to say it correctly... if they were aware they got it wrong... never had anyone get mad at for it, and i just cant help it.

 

[huesmann]

zee peepel hoo speek zee eengleesh, zey are zee problem.

 

[Babbles]

It depends on the person. I don't have much of an issue with India and other Asians but sometimes I find others that I can't understand.

 

[Landroval]

I can understand people from Asia with no problem, the East Coast and the South... well, that's another matter

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: tami
sometimes people have a hard time articulating words in the english language and that can throw off the average american.

such is normal -- but if you talk with them continuously, you'll understand more. i promise.

I'm British

 

[brigden]

I have this nack for understanding nearly every accent I encounter, then being able to imitate it perfectly.

 

[slightlyhuman]

i wonder if any of the guys in ventrilo the other that talked to me had trouble understandnig my southern accent

 

[GeCk0]

Basically the way that I see accents is that the ear and the brain will have trouble with it until it becomes acclimated to it and thereby making the connections easier. When you are listening to English your brain automatically associates the word with the meaning and there is no secondary processing required. When you hear an accent especially for the first time, your brain cannot make that leap as quickly and efficiently.

Some people are also very bullheaded and don't want to adapt/learn, so they don't.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
no...

although down in NC i have trouble with the really heavy southern ebonics

hyde county even has its *own* accent

dont get near the place if you can avoid it.

the chinese place here...theyve been here for, i dunno, 10 years at least. the younger ones working there (id guess they were all under 27) have a strong accent, but nothing too bad

the old man though, good god, unless hes saying "scallion chicken, forfiffy" i have no idea what hes talking about.