why do some Americans call people who have an accent stupid?

Question

my point is that most of those with accents dont speak english as their first language and can usually speak more than one other language other than english.
a compex language at that!
one has to be smart to do that!

most americans speak english only and its not the correct english taught and spoken in the u.k., but some kind of offshoot of the language.
i mean no offense its just puzzling

Answer 1

I've traveled far and wide in my own country (U.S.A.) and have never ever even once heard of anyone referring to a person (from another country) with an accent as "stupid."

On the other hand, I HAVE heard Americans pick on each others' dialects... Some in the Midwest (U.S.) think that people with a Southern (U.S.) accent are stupid. And some people on the East Coast (U.S.) have referred to those with a Texas accent as stupid.

**edit**I have a friend who is from Nara, Japan. She says that even the Japanese culture picks on each others' accents... those is Nara, Japan have "gruffer" accents than those in Tokyo, whose accents are considered more "sophisticated."

Answer 2

People who do that are just trying to make themselves feel less inferior. Don't let the turkeys keep you down.

You're right, most American's can only speak one language well, have never traveled alone to a foreign country and been dependent on the help of strangers who can't speak their language.

Being alone in a non English speaking country for a year would cure that attitude...sorry you experienced that. We don't get labeled "The Ugly American" for nothing.

Answer 3

I know of no Americans that say this, but the Canadian accent is a little funny, but this is more said due to the nuances

I agree that most English speaking nations have had it good for a while but I'd rather be speaking English than a bastardised form of Slavic had Stalin had his way

Answer 4

I think that maybe Americans do not realise that they also have quite a strong accent that may sound strange to others from different countries. My son said to me the other day that Americans have silly accents and I explained to him that when we travelled to New Zealand the locals there found our Australian accents very funny as we didn't pronounce things the same way. He found it hard to believe as he was very young so didnt remember as he felt that we didnt have an accent. And as far as them possibly thinking that others are stupid because of their accents, well if they feel that way it would just be because they are big headed and think too much of themselves.

Answer 5

I'm American but I LOVE hearing the different accents and languages. I'm bilingual, but I would love to learn how to speak more languages.

Answer 6

they're just discriminating.. i know from personal experience because i'm Alaska native, and English was my second language. just growing up and watching how people in the city treat us is way different than how they treat other people who speak english well. (my english is better after completing highschool and going to college)

Answer 7

i think that people who speak more than one language are extremely smart. i read somewhere once that the number of languages a person can speak is a good gage of how intelligent they are. i tend to agree with this.

Answer 8

accents rock i only wish i had one, no fair i'm american and i've never said anything bad bout accent matter fact i kinda hate u.s accents like ny accent sounds freakish.

Answer 9

americans are the one with accents, sometimes it can sound so phony

Answer 10

Those who are stupid thinks that normal people are stuoid, with no offence.
Regards.