Is Indian accent really that incomprehensible?

Question

I'm an Indian so obviously, I have an Indian accent. But while listening to Apu ( on Simpsons ) its hell. Can;t get through that. So why do you (non-asians) make it out to be soo.. disgusting?

Well. Shilpa's accent is fine. That's the way most Indian sounds like when they speak english. I think some of the British accents are very difficult to understand. Like of that chick.. Danielle.. on Big brother.

As far as those from call centres are concerned.. well, here there are some classes conducted in order to teach those telemarketers about the American/British accent. So its fake, really.

Mmmm. Yeah. South Indian accent. Even their hindi is a little incomprehensible. Thats because their mother tongue is telugu. yeah, alright.

yeah ok.. diversity n stuff.. but.. well.. me thinks indian accent is okay.. its not like i'm degradin it or sumthn.. but others do.. so obv, there's a problem!

Answer 1

I never thought so, but then again I am surrounded by Indians...

Answer 2

Indian Accent is not that incomprehensible. While I studied in United States I found that some South Indians had a very thick accent which was hard for Americans to understand. I also found that Chinese accent was worse. I am sure telemarketers in India who call U.S have to go through hell. When the customers at the other end of the phone, find they have an Indian Accent they yell more. I also watched a documentry on B.B.C about this.

Answer 3

I'm an Indian, too.
Apu and the like portray Indians on TV, so they have a characteristic accent. It's not actually that disgusting, it's not meant to hurt Indian sentiments, it's just to show an Indian-ness that has been labeled on Television.
In fact, Americans who have an Indian colleague know they talk normally, but just to show that someone is Indian (esp. on TV), they use this characteristic accent, just like we'd use a stylized accent to show an American.
Some people like that accent, while others don't, so it's really a matter of personal opinion.

Answer 4

You want to hear something funny . I have a deep voice for a woman and a southern accent [ so I have been told] when I call a call center it takes about 2 minutes before we both are throwing our hands in the air and calling upon our God to save us. The good thing is I know they will not get what I am saying and they get it after hello.The problem usually gets worked out after a painfully long talk. I have only given up one time. One piece of advice for the people in the call centers is relax a little life is too short to be so serious ! I appreciate that you try so hard to speak a second language it must be hard to think in one tongue and speak in another.

Answer 5

As a native English speaker, I honestly can't hear much of a difference between Apu and someone who's actually from India. People who speak different languages grow up learning to focus on different things in speech...They literally do hear differently.

Answer 6

Its the South Indian accent that sounds like Apu.

Its really hard to get sometimes.

Answer 7

Sorry to say, but yes. Indians have strong accent speaking english. Complains of customer service from call centers usually come from India. Americans could hardly comprehend what they are saying. I work in a call center from the Philippines.

Answer 8

I guess the whole point is to communicate effectively.

So one has to do what they can to improove and communticate better. A truly classy person will fit in where ever they are, and not sacrifice their own virtue.

Answer 9

Not really , Indians are fine.
Try Texans !

Answer 10

Because that is what it actually sounds like to native english speakers.