Korean Job Discussion Forums

[.38 Special]

I've moved around enough that I now can easily pick up on the accents of my home town. It was kind of shocking. Moreso because it made me realize that I had the same accent. It's pretty thick, but most Americans have no problem understanding it. It's pretty standard for rural, working-class, poorly educated areas.

[Triban]

I got Midland, even though I'm from the deep South.

[Captain Corea]

I'm a Western Canadian, and I got

[JMO]

I changed my accent when I came to Korea as people found it hard to understand me. Basically incorporated some americanisms like the big 'ow' sound. Also slowed down alot, dropped the abbreviated 'like' from the end of sentences(common in northern ireland) and dropped all irish slang. When I go home it takes about a week before start speaking normally.

Generally I understand accents very well. This is because I listen and use context to figure out what someone is saying. It is very simple. Most people don't really listen unless someone is speaking in the same accent as them.

[yeti08]

I agree with the statement above. And will add that understanding accents isn't so difficult, but the slang that certain places use can be. Although I love learning slang from other English speaking countries. American slang is fun, but gets boring.

The most difficult American accent would have to be Cajun or Creole, but thats mainly because they use French/Creole words mixed in with English. So again it's the words being used not the accent.

[orosee]

Just to add my 2 cents as a non-native speaker:

American accents are fairly easy to understand as long as the lips move. What I have serious problems with are the British dialects/slang. I'd say that I have difficulties understanding 6-7 out of 10 speakers (that shall include the Irish and the Scots, twice).

Even Australians and Indians have a better cut with me.

Interesting though, most British can speak like Hugh Grant (Grahnt) if they want to, so I guess this is not a problem during classes.

[sweet_caroline]

I agree that it really does depend on the regional dialect. For example, many who have not visited New Orleans think locals speak in a slow, southern drawl, like they see in movies/tv. In reality though, locals sound like they're from Brooklyn, New York and it can sometimes be hard to understand if your ear is not used to it. As another poster said, Cajun French is really hard to understand..it's a complete hodge podge but sounds really cool, IMO. I honestly don't think I have an accent, though (at least to other Americans). Was raised in Virginia, parents don't have one...it sounds just neutral, nothing stands out.