I mean what's with the accent?
2006-10-04 23:50:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
My accent doesn't count! Surely it's no good. I'm not a native speaker.
I didn't mean to insult anybody or something (I'm a plonker, that is true, though had to look it up). It's just so hard to understand the Scottish accent. It's like a whole other language to me. I absolutely get American English, English-English, Australian English, Canadian English. But the Scottish is sooooo hard.
The fact that you have to live in Scotland for a while and you'll adjust is kind of a given. I meant to ask if, say, people from London have any problem understanding people from Scotland.
2006-10-05 00:11:17 · update #1
I live in Canada and my neighbour is Scottish. I can understand him ,unless he's drinking. His accent gets thicker the more he drinks. Also, there's a Scotish movie called "Sweet Sixteen" that has English subtitles - most English-speaking people wouldn't understand it without them. I tried without the subtitles and I missed about half of what was being said, although it got better as I got used to the accent.
2006-10-05 02:51:18 · answer #1 · answered by mbm244 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I admit it is hard for me to understand a broad Scots accent in full flow, but it helps to understand that it is not just an accent but a whole phonology (words and phrases and sounds).
e.g. wee bairn = little baby, auld = old etc. (see first link, below)
These words derive from Celtic & Norse influences and are also be found in the North of England and elsewhere in Europe.
All this is very useful in tracing the history of which groups of people were where, at what time. (see 2nd link, below)
On a day to day basis, it is best to be upfront and say that you don't understand - rather than get frustrated.
"Oh wad some power the giftie gie us to see oursels as others see us"
2006-10-05 06:59:29 · answer #2 · answered by echo c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im a northerner and I have a broad lancashire accent. I think most english-speakers have some sort of an accent you plonker!
2006-10-05 06:58:45 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah M 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What do you mean whatÅ with the accent?Maybe your accent sounds funny to somebody else.You can get them but have to listen hard at the beginning to get used to it and later on you will have no problem.
2006-10-05 06:56:03 · answer #4 · answered by sanja77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they get to familiarise with the accent
2006-10-05 08:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be difficult but i understand them all the same
2006-10-05 06:58:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋