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YanquiQuilme�o · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 122 Location: Quilmes, Argentina

If you're planning to work in Buenos Aires, you will get work easily. Your SA accent won't be a problem whatsoever. Being a native speaker is a HUGE asset here in Buenos Aires.

Cdaniels · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject: SA accent in the other SA

Classic Bostonion line: Pahk the Cah in Havahd Yahd.
Not only are r's dropped, but I've also heard them added where they don't belong: "I have an idear." "Wicked awesome" is also a common Boston interjection, and more widely through New England "wicked" is a common compliment. I take some umbrage that JK Rowling has usurped this word in the Harry Potter series! Wink

The Kennedys have a specific Boston Blueblood accent that I haven't heard from anyone else.

vivaBarca · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: SA accent in the other SA

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

A friend of mine did a year long student exchange to Boston College and she said it took her nine months until she could finally say 'Boston College' like a native...well close enough that she didn't have to repeat it seven or eight times anyway! Razz

vivaBarca, if that was a Simpson's reference I am Laughing

, if it wasn't then I apologise for dragging you down to my level! Razz

PT

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject: Quimby Clan

Yes, that would be the Quimbys of Springfield (also where the "Say Chowdah" quote comes from.) There's a town called Springfield in many US states, and there are also many different Arlingtons, but only here is it called Ahhlington. Confused

I lived in Worcester, MA for a while, and it is pronounced something like "Wuhstah." I haven't quite figured that out yet. Smile

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

It's most likely named after Worcester in England which is pronounced Wooster. Don't even get me started on the wacky and wonderful pronounciation of place names in England. Razz

PT

vivaBarca · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure if this answers your question, but

When I lived in Japan, I lived with a teacher from New Zealand. We got passed around copies of recent Simpson's episodes that some one else was having sent over from the US. She and I both really enjoyed watching them. After I was there for 5 months, my American boyfriend came over from the US. I'm not one to laugh out loud at TV, but he is. That's when I noticed how many of the jokes, the native English speaker from New Zealand was missing. He'd be rolling on the floor and she'd be like "what?"

The great thing about the Simpson's is the writing. In some episodes there is a joke or cultural pun or other reference in almost every line. The Spanish translations are pretty good but often the content is changed. Most of my husband's family didn't like it before they knew me, but now my husband and one of my sisters-in-law like it because they've watched it with me and I talked to them about the idea of social/political satire. Not unlike the Mexican program "los peluches".

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

I noticed a really similar thing when I watched the movie 'Love Actually' with a Native-English-speaking-but-mixed-cultural-background group. The non-Americans didn't get why we were laughing when one of the characters says he's going to a really happening place called Wisconsin and the non-Britons didn't get the line where Bill Nighy's character refers to a TV presenter as Ant-or-Dec. There was loads more but they're the two that come to mind.

Hate to say it but I think you're right and that The Simpsons appeals to everyone outside of the US because it agrees with the stereotype.

PT

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Ant and Dec (Anthony and Declan) are TV presenters in the UK but usually only the teenyboppers can tell them apart so his use of Ant-or-Dec was pretty frickin hilarious!

PT

vivaBarca · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:16 pm Post subject:

I mean...almost everyone that I see watching the Simpsons down here is under the age of 30 or so...I can�t imagine some sheltered Argentine teenager in C�rdoba getting a reference to the �cure all� tonic craze sweeping the U.S. at the beginning of the 20th century.

Either way, I suppose it�s truly a testament to the writers that they can make so many people laugh in so many different cultures.