I have this really stupid thing I do when conversing with people, if English is not their primary language. It seems, I immediately "dumb down" my dialogue to simple English words and broken sentences, and speak with a quasi synthetic accent of their native tongue.
I realized this not long ago when I was speaking to my housekeeper. She is from Guatemala and has a decent understanding of English, but prefers to speak in Spanish. When she does speak to me in English, its filtered through a thick Latin accent. I, on the other hand, have an adequate Spanish vocabulary, and can speak marginally fluently, even if I occasionally have difficulty conjugating my verbs. When I get lost, or don't know what something is, I can point or mime my way through it.
But naturally, when I speak with her, I still use my broken English, and mimic her accent, as if by some ludicrous logic, this will help her understand me better. Its a pointless exercise and a typical lazy American gesture. However, I can't help but rationalize that it improves our communication and somehow helps me bond with her.
On deeper reflection, I realized I was accent filching more often than I thought.
On another occasion, I went to lunch with a group of friends. We intended to try a new restaurant, and I called ahead to make reservations to assure that we would get a good table at the time we wanted. When I got off the phone, I was asked if the new restaurant was French. "Yes", I replied, "Why do you ask"? "Because", they said, "You quickly adapted a French accent on the phone." Oh my God!
The restaurant proprietor who took my reservation did indeed have an indiscernible French accent, and as I have now mentioned, I have a tendency to slip right into those situations without realizing it. We were having a bit of an issue understanding each other and I automatically started conversing with my rendition of a derivative, thick, French accent. Similar to the discussions I have had with my housekeeper, I assumed that my accent would help him better understand me, even though I was still speaking in English.
"I would like to reserve a table for lunch today" was intercepted and volleyed back to me with a "Yes, we serva lunch today". I shook my head, and when my followup, clarification comment, "I would like to make a reservation for four people four lunch at noon with a table near the window" struck out, it was quickly condensed to "You speaka English? Four people, eat lunch, 12 O'clock noon, today". I mouthed this into the phone, in a bastardized Spanish/Italian/French combination, as if its mere utterance would click a light bulb on in his head and he would now recognize me as a fellow Frenchman. To appreciate the full measure of my indiscretion, imagine that my accent was as bad as that of the famed Peter Sellers portraying Chief Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther series of 70's. I sure hope he wasn't offended.
While we are off topic for a moment, I love this scene where Inspector Clouseau is looking for a room but the innkeeper has difficulty understanding his accent. The additional video is just a tribute to the comedy inspired by Sellers and his character.
On another occasion, I went to lunch with a group of friends. We intended to try a new restaurant, and I called ahead to make reservations to assure that we would get a good table at the time we wanted. When I got off the phone, I was asked if the new restaurant was French. "Yes", I replied, "Why do you ask"? "Because", they said, "You quickly adapted a French accent on the phone." Oh my God!
The restaurant proprietor who took my reservation did indeed have an indiscernible French accent, and as I have now mentioned, I have a tendency to slip right into those situations without realizing it. We were having a bit of an issue understanding each other and I automatically started conversing with my rendition of a derivative, thick, French accent. Similar to the discussions I have had with my housekeeper, I assumed that my accent would help him better understand me, even though I was still speaking in English.
"I would like to reserve a table for lunch today" was intercepted and volleyed back to me with a "Yes, we serva lunch today". I shook my head, and when my followup, clarification comment, "I would like to make a reservation for four people four lunch at noon with a table near the window" struck out, it was quickly condensed to "You speaka English? Four people, eat lunch, 12 O'clock noon, today". I mouthed this into the phone, in a bastardized Spanish/Italian/French combination, as if its mere utterance would click a light bulb on in his head and he would now recognize me as a fellow Frenchman. To appreciate the full measure of my indiscretion, imagine that my accent was as bad as that of the famed Peter Sellers portraying Chief Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther series of 70's. I sure hope he wasn't offended.
While we are off topic for a moment, I love this scene where Inspector Clouseau is looking for a room but the innkeeper has difficulty understanding his accent. The additional video is just a tribute to the comedy inspired by Sellers and his character.
Clouseau: Do you have a REUM?
Inn Keeper: I do not know what a REUM iz!
Clouseau: Zimma
Inn Keeper: Ahhh.. a RRRUUUMMM!
Clouseau: That is what I have been saying you idiot! REUM!
Inn Keeper: I do not know what a REUM iz!
Clouseau: Zimma
Inn Keeper: Ahhh.. a RRRUUUMMM!
Clouseau: That is what I have been saying you idiot! REUM!
Just to be clear, my accent pilferage issue isn't just limited to Spanish or French. I am prone to the same faux pas whenever I travel abroad. The country is irrelevant. Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, etc., in fact, I don't even have to leave the country to make a fool of myself. I can just go to the South or the Northern Midwest and I start right in with the "you'alls" and "aboots".
While I realize that my accents are a little foolish and don't help communication or really make me appear native, I also know that I don't do it on purpose and that I am not alone in this transgression. Hollywood has has taken its shot at making fun of this showcasing it in both film and television. If you need proof, watch almost any episode of I Love Lucy.
Randy,
ReplyDeleteMy mother, who was a French native speaker, would drop into any accent of the person she was talking with...anywhere. Culture-race-nationality- it didnt make any difference. We would all die while she was doing it. She had no knowledge that she was doing it. You are not alone in this one!!!!
LOL. Great to know. I have heard many other people do it a lot, and realized that I did it too, but never really realized how often.
ReplyDelete- Randy
Brilliant,I do this all the time. I adapted a southern accent after being on location in ATL and NOLA for 5 months. And when it comes to foreign accents, my mom (Spanish accent) told me once that it makes her feel stupid that people talk to her like a 4 year old. I try not to commit this offense to other foreigners.
ReplyDelete