If your first language is not English: What do you think of your language as spoken with an american accent?

Question

Besides the people who will respond with something like, "I don't know.. I've never heard an american attempting to speak my language.."

I am an american, and I can read and write numerous languages. I just have a slight fear that my speech in these languages is unintelligable, or that my american accent is too thick. It's probably just paranoia..

Honestly, though, if you heard an american (who was somewhat fluent) speaking to you in your language, what would you think? I know this question may be difficult to answer, as other variables may need to be considered. But in general, would you consider the american accent to be (insert word here- example: harsh, pleasant, etc.)?

Thank you.

Sorry for the typing error: I meant "unintelligible." Thanks.

I didn't mention the fact that I have had a slight hearing loss over the past ten years, which greatly affects my ability to discern nuances of speech patterns of languages other than English.

So what some of you are saying is that it doesn't matter that I am pretty much fluent in your language if I speak with an american accent anyway?

Answer 1

I would compliment them on their effort.

So far, I have met a few Americans speak Turkish and I find it cute. They usually read the letter "ı" as "i" and it sounds sweet to me.

Answer 2

I have heard a couple of Americans speak my language (Icelandic). They had an accent, but were still easy to understand. It just sounds a bit strange to hear someone speak it with a foreign accent (and few foreigners seem to get the hang of pronouncing "r" like we do), but that's something that I don't think people in Iceland mind at all. We're just glad that they made the effort to learn our language. The accent doesn't matter. You should hear how strong our own accent is when we speak English, haha. :)

Some languages have similar accents, so it's possible that your accent isn't that noticeable in some languages, while being very obvious in others.

Anyway, my opinion is that when you learn a foreign language you should not be trying to change yourself into a Mexican/German/Japanese or whatever. You are you and there is nothing wrong with keeping your accent as long as you can still make yourself understandable in the language. It usually takes a bit of practice to be able to speak foreign languages clearly so don't be afraid to try it, it's the only way you'll get the hang of it. Don't worry too much about your accent, it's not that big of a problem.

Answer 3

Yes, the other variables are the problem.

Anyone appreciates an attempt made to use their language. English (and now it's narrowed to the American variety) is the dominant World Language. Ipso facto my language is under threat.
Your wording, the apology for misspelling etc. mark you out as a very special American. No cowboy swagger a la Reagan or Bush.

So, I'll tell you; when a white garbles our language, we think it cute. But however well I use English (mine follows the British model), I'm always a "foreigner". I've been teaching the language for 35 years. The way they cut us down is to say the Language is the preserve of "the native speaker". Funny, the way the word "native" has got rehabilitated!

I'm sure these Linguistic Trends warrant more serious study; it could lead to less treading on corns.

You are exculpated, dear!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S.
Once you've divested yourself of arrogance, as you have done, you cannot possibly give offence. Isn't this the thread running through the observations of the others, too?

Once the rapport I'm speaking of has been established you can forget about colour, inherited mindsets, foreignness, and nativeness. There can be no quarrel when I say that we live our short lives and then depart. It is good that we are forced to achieve what we may within these parameters. Language is our prime means of communication; provided we discipline ourselves it can be a vehicle for thoughts and emotions - conveyed without ambiguity. For all this we need empathy, sincerity and charity.

These are afterthoughts. The Yahoo! Answers format allows the writer to edit. But as you will see, your transparent spelling correction won you many friends!

Indeed, I've returned to your question not just because you are quite serious but also because with your intelligence (this can indeed be accompnied by a slight dubiety) and commitment you could blaze a trail for "us". (I personally have lived my life.) By the way my language is Sinhalese - but I use English more.

Answer 4

Some people told me that Croatian sounds to them like Italian with Russian accent. Pretty much all the foreigners have great trouble pronouncing first of all letters such as R, T, C, H as the Croatian people do. There are also problems with letters specific for Croatian alphabet such as Č, Ć, Đ, DŽ, LJ, NJ, Š, Ž.

If the Americans managed to speak Croatian, it would sound kind of funny, a bit too soft than it should be. What usually happens is that in the beginning they are quite eager to learn it, but soon the overly complicated grammar discourages even the bravest. Sorry guys!

Answer 5

My first lanagues are Hungarian and Serbian.
I have to say I am really surprised and pleased when I hear not only Americans but also people from other nationalities trying to speak either language because both are so difficult.
The last time I was in Hungary I met exchange students from East Africa who actually spoke Hungarian better than some of the natives.
To be honest, I am a little more disillusioned about what Americans think about either group or their misconceptions (for example, that all Hungarians are gypsies and eat goulash, or mistaking "Serbia" for "Siberia")

Answer 6

Personally I would be happy to hear an American speak any other language than English. Americans are not known for knowing many different languages (sorry if I'm incorrect), so to hear them speak any other language than English (or Spanish, which is quite popular among English speaking Americans, if I'm not wrong?) is really great. I don't really care about somebodies accent in my language (which is Dutch by the way). I actually think it's nice, and occasionally it can be amusing :).

Answer 7

OMG it's one of my pet peeves when Americans speak other languages with an American accent. In my French class everyone would do it. It was so annoying especially when we were repeating things after the teacher. I mean did they not hear what the professor said and what actually came out of their mouths. It's not that hard. I cut them some slack because, since I'm fluent in Spanish, I can assimilate the accent better, but when they don't even try, it annoys me. I love languages; I speak 5 and I try to pronounce everything as best I can but I definately don't speak any language that's not English with an American accent.

Answer 8

An American speaking Thai/Mandarin/Taiwanese/Tae-ju with an American accent would be cute. There could be tonal problem since all these languages are tonal, something that does not exist in English and many European languages. But none of us would mind the tonal problem. Instead, we would respect you for your effort in learning our languages.

Unlike Y!A here where mis-spellings and grammatical errors are severly frowned upon!

Answer 9

Let me tell you something. I am Spanish-speaker and when I was learning English in Canada I saw that teacher could understand people even though I could not catch a word. And I think it happens the same in every language. When an American talks to me in Spanish, I do understand him/her even if they cannot pronounce perfectly. You just guess what they are saying.

Answer 10

Nope. I communicate english as a 2nd language and that i many times might desire to repeat myself using fact human beings don't understand me. My dad learn the britain version of english and he speaks with an extremely deep acccent.

Answer 11

Any one who try to speak my language gets my respect because they are open for communication with other.
For me any one who try to speak other language is a sign of intelligence and High level of culture.
Every time I hear a American speaking Spanish I find that cute and admirable.