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Interesting topic

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10066118.html

What do you think ? Do any of you talk differently at work than how they would talk at home or with friends ?

Yes, Ofcourse we talk to differnt people.. can u imagine talking to the laundry guys or to the carpenter who's doing the interiors for your co in in King's English. There's a definite difference in my accent when i talk to different ppl. but i think thats more of a natural thing to happen... it may b just me..

yes, yes, same, same

yep. but it is more about trying to put people at ease/blend in, as opposed to using the accent to differentiate you from the rest of the group.

Yup. Its completely subconscious and I don't realise when I'm doing it. But I switch all the time. Almost like using various dialects of English.

MaaaD wrote:Interesting topic

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10066118.html

What do you think ? Do any of you talk differently at work than how they would talk at home or with friends ?

Come to think of it, I seem to adapt the accent of the person I am talking / conversing with.

yes accent is very important , for eg. u can not take ur ghetto accent in a business meeting and act all professional.

naw a mean dawg

I have had to adapt and change over the years and now people don't really know where I am from, which is also OK.

I don't change my accent - but I do get very strange looks when I start speaking sometimes.

I have a clearly British accent and I've found people here do a double-take sometimes . I also speak Mauritian - but unfortunately speak it with a British accent!

Anyway, the vocabulary I use will change from situation to situation (friends vs business vs children vs family) but not the accent, unless I'm trying to make a point in another accent.

Accent is important though in how a person is perceived - but so is what is said and how it is said. Words and how they are used are an indication of a person's mastery of a language, which sometimes is taken as a proxy for education or skill.

Cheers,
Shafique

of course I do, I sure most does....

But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.

pinoy1 wrote:But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.

You may be surprised at the variation in accents within the UK and US - and if you click through to the article referred to in the first post you will see that they are actually talking about people in the UK changing their accents.

I agree that accents should not be a basis for judging - but they are.

The applies to other languages as well. French accents vary and there is a class distinction which extends to accent - the 'BCBJ' class (equivalent of upper class in UK) have an accent and this is the (roughly) the equivalent of 'oxford' or 'queen's' English in the UK.


Cheers,
Shafique

Well, my accent is one that is very destinctive, and incriminating. I was born in West Texas (Amarillo, TX), raised there and formed a extreme Texas accent. My mother has often said she doesn't know where in the hell I got this accent. If I am with southern people my accent turns totally mush...........and I almost scare myself when I talk.

God, I hope I'm never judged by my accent! While here, I have been accused from various people of being "British", think it is the way I carry myself. The first time I was asked if I was British my comment back was, "No, I'm a Texan"!!! I was very new here, and hadn't experienced that question before. I have to laugh when I think about it due to my accent. Had been working with this gentleman for hours, and was shocked by his comment.

dubai girl wrote:Well, my accent is one that is very destinctive, and incriminating. I was born in West Texas (Amarillo, TX), raised there and formed a extreme Texas accent. My mother has often said she doesn't know where in the hell I got this accent. If I am with southern people my accent turns totally mush...........and I almost scare myself when I talk.

God, I hope I'm never judged by my accent! While here, I have been accused from various people of being "British", think it is the way I carry myself. The first time I was asked if I was British my comment back was, "No, I'm a Texan"!!! I was very new here, and hadn't experienced that question before. I have to laugh when I think about it due to my accent. Had been working with this gentleman for hours, and was shocked by his comment.

This must be the first time that I have ever heard that a Texas accent can be likened to a British accent, I know we have some strange ones, but not that strange

I reckon that 'aint bloody common around here.

In terms of 'British' accents - I've heard loads of accents here:

- Brummy (Birmingham)
- Mancunian (Manchester)
- Yorkshire
- Welsh
- Geordie (Newcastle)
- Cockney (East London)
- Scouse (Liverpool)

and the plummy Queen's English.

Oh - and there's also the West Country accent sported by one of our prolific posters on this Forum!

It's not surprising, therefore, to hear of a Texan being mistaken for a 'Britisher'

Cheers,
Shafique

Once accent, just raise your voice if they don't understand.

I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....

Bleakus wrote:I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....

hehehe .....like arnold's accent.....yao thalking tou mee?

sniper420 wrote:

Bleakus wrote:I know that some accents kills the tension in an argument.....it can be a good thing.....

hehehe .....like arnold's accent.....yao thalking tou mee?

dude it works

and on sentence construction...
I was explaining something to a guy of diffrent nationality as I and he was having a hard time understanding what I'm saying. Until I broke my sentences down to the "main" words.
Yes, I'm quite sure I have it right the first try, ok?

another funny stereotypical thing is that how english-speaking dudes tend to raise their voice and talk rrreal slow when speaking with, say, an asian person..

pinoy1 wrote:another funny stereotypical thing is that how english-speaking dudes tend to raise their voice and talk rrreal slow when speaking with, say, an asian person..

Wot's funny 'bout that ??

It's how we brits speak foreign - ennit!

Sign language also works

i do change accents, depending who your talking with...sometimes other people cant understandmy english using my "american accent", but my boss sure does appreciate it so i use it in the office, and switch it off after work hours, funny but its true

rundezvous wrote:i do change accents, depending who your talking with...sometimes other people cant understandmy english using my "american accent", but my boss sure does appreciate it so i use it in the office, and switch it off after work hours, funny but its true

i have that thing too

St.Lucifer wrote: King's English. ..

or the queen's?

Your accent...does it matter??

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

It matters to daily life.
It matters to your salary range.
It matters to Immigration Q & A.
Etc.

pinoy1 wrote:But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.

I was going to say you can't just use the definition of 'British' or 'American' as there are hundreds of different accents within these countries, just like any other. A Geordie sounds nothing like a Liverpudlian or someone from Birmingham or the Cornish. Also dont' forget you have Scottish and Welsh accents in there as well, plus all their different variations.

Chocoholic wrote:

pinoy1 wrote:But accent should not be a basis for guaging education or skill. Having an american or british accent does not guarantee a high level of education as even illiterates in those countries can speak perfect english. It's their language that's why.

I was going to say you can't just use the definition of 'British' or 'American' as there are hundreds of different accents within these countries, just like any other. A Geordie sounds nothing like a Liverpudlian or someone from Birmingham or the Cornish. Also dont' forget you have Scottish and Welsh accents in there as well, plus all their different variations.

and not forgeting the posh home counties accent init Chocs