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[M1chl]

I mean this is something which is bothering me a lot, since you might know me as someone who underwent liver transplant. Since that time, because surgery was very tough I had to re-learn English. I know for a fact, based on stuff which I had on PC and "eye-witness account" of my friends that I could spoke English very well. Almost without accent. However since the time of that faithful surgery, my accent sucks mainly because Czech is very monotonic language, lots of native English speaking countries have a high level of vocal range in which they spoke their language. Being my friends from UK or recently someone from Trinidad. I like to speak and also write in English, however I feel like I suck with it. Writing in English, despite my mistakes in here are way easier than in my native language which is bloated, full of exceptions and very verbose unlike English and I made way more mistakes there. Hell I even think in English and I am like 1 year from being able to speak it. Maybe I cheated, due to my partial memory loss...which is not really greatly understood, how that works. But yeah after waking up, I did not undesrtand what "hello" means. Anyway. One man from this forum crack this shit up, because he attained high level of fluency, maybe with accent, but he still is not really monotonic and basically he just need more training and that man is Elektro Demon here is his channel on youtube to evaluate his skills despite him being Slavic: Link I have to say, pretty impressive stuff. However many Slavic countries, including Croatia spoke way more dramatically, than us, "western spies" and that's really frustating.

So I wanted to ask if you native English speaking folks mind accent and to what extend. Because criticism of myself is that I talk really boring, I have almost zero range, which makes a lot of social situation awkward, because i am expected to sound more dynamic or something like that and since I am in my thirties, it's not exactly easy to lear it and no I cannot sign, which I think really helps.

And I mabye I am typing this, because I might have something to share with the world, however I am really afraid of going forward just to hear, that I suck and I should shut the fuck up.

Czech accent is something like this video and I employ really similar phonetic "qualities"

 

[M1chl]

Maybe share some tips Elektro Demon how you did that? : D

 

[Elektro Demon]

I think why I can speak solid english is because basically I spent my whole youth/childhood watching American tv shows, video games etc. And I don't mean like normal content consuming, I basically was devouring American content like crazy.

 

[M1chl]

I think why I can speak solid english is because basically I spent my whole youth/childhood watching American tv shows, video games etc. And I don't mean like normal content consuming, I basically was devouring American content like crazy.

Well I gues #meToo, however the issue is that I was starting from scratch last year. I remember watching Californication and George Carlin back in 2007-8 and learning from that and I actually caught accent from it. However I remember almost nothing how did I do that : (

 

[Impotaku]

As long as they are understandable i don't give a fuck if they have an accent, nobody speaks BBC queens english over here people pretend to make themselves sound posh but it's a rarity. Everyone has an accent depending on the area you are in some are stronger than others though. If someone makes the effort to learn english then all the best to them, it's not an easy one to get a grasp on as the rules on grammar are fucking weird to say the least. So many odd word exceptions that i'm amazed anyone who isn't a native speaker can figure out.

 

[Elektro Demon]

Interesting thing I noticed is that there's rarely any slavic person that can speak solid english. Almost everyone has an accent. I was watching an interview with Croteam, serious sam devs, and they sound like shit. Instant tell that they're not a native speaker. All slavic countries have a hard accent when trying to speak english. I did encounter a few Polish people who could get a pass.

 

[M1chl]

As long as they are understandable i don't give a fuck if they have an accent, nobody speaks BBC queens english over here people pretend to make themselves sound posh but it's a rarity. Everyone has an accent depending on the area you are in some are stronger than others though. If someone makes the effort to learn english then all the best to them, it's not an easy one to get a grasp on as the rules on grammar are fucking weird to say the least. So many odd word exceptions that i'm amazed anyone who isn't a native speaker can figure out.

Nah English is actually super easy and one of those languages where grammar is straight-forward. Not so much with pronunciation tho. And also English learning is really required for success in life and also to have at least some entertainment from the internet.

Interesting thing I noticed is that there's rarely any slavic person that can speak solid english. Almost everyone has an accent. I was watching an interview with Croteam, serious sam devs, and they sound like shit. Instant tell that they're not a native speaker. All slavic countries have a hard accent when trying to speak english. I did encounter a few Polish people who could get a pass.

I agree, maybe "barbara4u2c" gets a pass for Slavic youtuber who speak English very well, however you can still tell. She is Slovenian for the record.

 

[Impotaku]

Nah English is actually super easy and one of those languages where grammar is straight-forward. Not so much with pronunciation tho. And also English learning is really required for success in life and also to have at least some entertainment from the internet.

Pronunciation is evil for english, very specific rules that are never mentioned but totally change the way it's pronounced or used depending on the situation. That's before you get into slang, regional slang adds in another layer to the difficulty here in the UK. If you can master them all then they really do need to start handing out awards lol.

 

[MilkyJoe]

I don't mind the accents, but I don't like the spelling.

 

[M1chl]

Pronunciation is evil for english, very specific rules that are never mentioned but totally change the way it's pronounced or used depending on the situation. That's before you get into slang, regional slang adds in another layer to the difficulty here in the UK. If you can master them all then they really do need to start handing out awards lol.

That's true, however I really don't think there are any rules, you just have to memorize it, how is it pronounced. My favorite example is "lite" and "elite", those words does employ really different type of pronunciation despipte them being really similar. I spent a lot of time, since my surgery in UK and I can safely say that I understand even true Scotsman, like Lewis Capaldi, it was not easy when i met him, however over few hours I manage to understand him, however I obviously cannot replicate that accent at all. But hey, at least I know those people are talking about, right?

I don't mind the accents, but I don't like the spelling.

What do you mean, my spelling sucked in OP?

 

[TGO]

Someone told me they thought I was Polish the other day
Strange because both parents are English, bit Irish on my dad's side and I was born and raised in West Midlands.
I know I haven't got the usual Brummy accent but.. Polish?

Edit: yep that was my reaction too M1chl

 

[M1chl]

Someone told me they thought I was Polish the other day
Strange because both parents are English, bit Irish on my dad's side and I was born and raised in West Midlands.
I know I haven't got the usual Brummy accent but.. Polish?

I mean, this does not make sense. who told you that?

 

[DESTROYA]

Accents are fine as long as you get the point across.
Elektro Demon I subbed to your channel

 

[M1chl]

Accents are fine as long as you get the point across.
Elektro Demon I subbed to your channel

But how fun is it to listen to, it seems to me like people are toleranting me rather than having fun with the conversation. That is my gripe...

 

[DESTROYA]

But how fun is it to listen to, it seems to me like people are toleranting me rather than having fun with the conversation. That is my gripe...

Well your talking to a foreigner and I guess I’m more tolerant than most, I’ve been in the USA for a long time and and think I speak perfect English but people still at times tell me I have a slight accent.

 

[TGO]

I mean, this does not make sense. who told you that?

A Pharmacist I was working with last week, She ask where I was from originally
I told her, and she said no I mean "originally"
She look at me surprised and said I thought you was Polish or something, you don't sound like you are from Birmingham.
TBF I have a unique voice, probably due to all the impressions I do
I can go from Arnie to Solid Snake, Christopher Walken, Goofy and Liam Neeson, both Mark's and Heath's Joker
And I can do alright Dean Winchester form Supernatural
Oh Christopher Judge too and Jim Carrey

 

[M1chl]

A Pharmacist I was working with last week, She ask where I was from originally
I told her, and she said no I mean "originally"
She look at me surprised and said I thought you was Polish or something, you don't sound like you are from Birmingham.
TBF I have a unique voice, probably due to all the impressions I do
I can go from Arnie to Solid Snake, Christopher Walken, Goofy and Liam Neeson, both Mark's and Heath's Joker
And I can do alright Dean Winchester form Supernatural

Oh I see, UK people are trying to spin unique voice as Polish, because there are until 01/01/2021 a lot of Polish people : D

Well your talking to a foreigner and I guess I’m more tolerant than most, I’ve been in the USA for a long time and and think I speak perfect English but people still at times tell me I have a slight accent.

What is your native tongue if I may ask?

 

[TGO]

Oh I see, UK people are trying to spin unique voice as Polish, because there are until 01/01/2021 a lot of Polish people : D


What is your native tongue if I may ask?

Yeah I guess, but I wouldn't say I sound Polish in the slightest, everyone I know has had a right laugh about it, I can do Polish accent though

 

[Foamy]

Who cares about accents. Its people who immigrate to other countries and don't even try to learn the native language that I have a problem with.

 

[TGO]

Who cares about accents. Its people who immigrate to other countries and don't even try to learn the native language that I have a problem with.

Yeah speaking in their native tongue in front of you is kinda rude imo

 

[DESTROYA]

Oh I see, UK people are trying to spin unique voice as Polish, because there are until 01/01/2021 a lot of Polish people : D


What is your native tongue if I may ask?

Greek, and English is almost entirely different.The alphabet and the vocabulary is not similar at all.

 

[M1chl]

Who cares about accents. Its people who immigrate to other countries and don't even try to learn the native language that I have a problem with.

I mean, in my case, I care about not sounding fucking boring.

Greek, and English is almost entirely different.The alphabet and the vocabulary is not similar at all.

Yeah I can see that, at least I have sayme alphabet, but that's really it. Slavic languages ranks at really high place in "how hard to learn" statistic, so that means, it's really different.

 

[bati]

Well your talking to a foreigner and I guess I’m more tolerant than most, I’ve been in the USA for a long time and and think I speak perfect English but people still at times tell me I have a slight accent.

I've had an opposite experience, I've talked with people from US (30 min+ convos, bus/plane trips and whatnot) and I've been asked what state I'm from. And I'm aware that I have an accent when I talk, being from Eastern Europe I thought it was pretty distinct too, but I guess not as much as I thought.

 

[M1chl]

I've had an opposite experience, I've talked with people from US (30 min+ convos, bus/plane trips and whatnot) and I've been asked what state I'm from. And I'm aware that I have an accent when I talk, being from Eastern Europe I thought it was pretty distinct too, but I guess not as much as I thought.

You Slav too?

 

[bati]

You Slav too?

Yup. From Slovenia.

 

[Foamy]

I wouldn't worry too much about an accent OP. You are making the effort and that's what matters.
I have a Muslim family in my neighborhood that puts up Christmas and Halloween decorations every year and I think that's Hella cool.

 

[M1chl]

Yup. From Slovenia.

Well only reference for me is this "barbara4u2c" girl from Slovenia also (on YT) and yeah it seems to me like you are speaking with way more range than we do.

I wouldn't worry too much about an accent OP. You are making the effort and that's what matters.
I have a Muslim family in my neighborhood that puts up Christmas and Halloween decorations every year and I think that's Hella cool.

I mean that's really different, Muslim families are constatnly integrated into Anglo-saxon countries, so you are used to their type of speech, however not really much Slavic type of accent. I was actually told that I sound boring so I am hurt, hence this thread

 

[Foamy]

I was actually told that I sound boring so I am hurt, hence this thread

And how many languages did that person speak?

 

[M1chl]

And how many languages did that person speak?

Well one, but that's not really important, because other countries, simply needs to learn English, because it's today's international language.

 

[bati]

Well only reference for me is this "barbara4u2c" girl from Slovenia also (on YT) and yeah it seems to me like you are speaking with way more range than we do.

What country is 'we' from?

I've heard people from Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia speak English and I'd say they are on about the same level as ESLs from Slovenia - Serbs probably have a slightly easier time even, in my opinion. I currently live in Romania and the fluent ESLs here are also very much on the level. I've also met a number of Polish people here and I can say the same for them - overall, I'd say Slavic language background deals with English pretty well in general. Incidentally, I also have some Hungarian friends (RO born with HU parents) that speak English really well, which was a bit of a surprise considering how badly the Finns butcher English with their accent, and with Hungarian and Finnish belonging to the same language group.

 

[Foamy]

One. Exactly. Probably some valley girl too who sounds like a retard.
Tell them to get fucked.
Just speak English as often as possible and it'll come.

 

[JimiNutz]

I think it's cool.

Southern US is my favourite followed by Jamaican Patois or Irish English.

I love accents.

 

[Birdo]

I'm always impressed with anyone who can speak a language other than their native one. No matter how strong their accent is.

 

[MilkyJoe]

That's true, however I really don't think there are any rules, you just have to memorize it, how is it pronounced. My favorite example is "lite" and "elite", those words does employ really different type of pronunciation despipte them being really similar. I spent a lot of time, since my surgery in UK and I can safely say that I understand even true Scotsman, like Lewis Capaldi, it was not easy when i met him, however over few hours I manage to understand him, however I obviously cannot replicate that accent at all. But hey, at least I know those people are talking about, right?


What do you mean, my spelling sucked in OP?

Nah, the way non Englanders spell words, like color instead of colour. Laziness.

 

[M1chl]

What country is 'we' from?

I've heard people from Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia speak English and I'd say they are on about the same level as ESLs from Slovenia - Serbs probably have a slightly easier time even, in my opinion. I currently live in Romania and the fluent ESLs here are also very much on the level. I've also met a number of Polish people here and I can say the same for them - overall, I'd say Slavic language background deals with English pretty well in general. Incidentally, I also have some Hungarian friends (RO born with HU parents) that speak English really well, which was a bit of a surprise considering how badly the Finns butcher English with their accent, and with Hungarian and Finnish belonging to the same language group.

We refers to Czech Republic : ) also Serbs and Romanians does not belong to the Slavic group of Language : ) However I am glad for your experience : )

One. Exactly. Probably some valley girl too who sounds like a retard.
Tell them to get fucked.
Just speak English as often as possible and it'll come.

You cannot really do that, because they are speaking with most high-profile language in the world in which basically everything is conducted, when it comes to any sort of internetional shit.

I think it's cool.

Southern US is my favourite followed by Jamaican Patois or Irish English.

I love accents.

Do you also like when people sounds bored while they speak, you have reference when I going from with OP's video. Do you also find that cool?

I'm always impressed with anyone who can speak a language other than their native one. No matter how strong their accent is.

There is nothing impressive about speaking in English, maybe speaking in German, French, etc. But not English, that's a requirement in today's world.

Nah, the way non Englanders spell words, like color instead of colour. Laziness.

Well I am sorry if I do that, I am hardly aware of that. I taught to myself on American type of English because it's way easier to actually listen to their voice, than Bri ish people and my UK friends make fun of me constatntly, so I am trying to improve...

 

[Tesseract]

it's fine, don't care

 

[bati]

We refers to Czech Republic : ) also Serbs and Romanians does not belong to the Slavic group of Language : ) However I am glad for your experience : )

Romanian is not of course, it's Latin in origin, but Serbian is definitely a Slavic language. It's almost interchangeable with Croatian/Bosnian for the most part, although there have been a number of changes to the vocabulary in both languages in the last 25 years since the war, presumably to distance themselves from one another.

Nah, the way non Englanders spell words, like color instead of colour. Laziness.

We were taught British English in school and still use it to this day, despite my browser frequently telling me I'm spelling the words wrong. One of these days I will set it to British English instead of the default US English.

 

[JimiNutz]

Do you also like when people sounds bored while they speak, you have reference when I going from with OP's video. Do you also find that cool?

Yeah man, it's awesome.
Your accent is awesome, you're speaking our language (which is awesome), let's all fuck.

p.s. I love Czech English! Went to Prague in 2008, had a great time. Love Czech women - especially when they call me 'Mr James'

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Doesn't bother me. I've been working w international english speakers for almost a decade in my career, so it's not something that sticks out to me.

 

[M1chl]

Yeah man, it's awesome.
Your accent is awesome, you're speaking our language (which is awesome), let's all fuck.

p.s. I love Czech English! Went to Prague in 2008, had a great time. Love Czech women - especially when they call me 'Mr James'

Well pretty much everyone loves Czech woman since they visit pornhub : D Glad to hear that however I really need to work on the expression....

Romanian is not of course, it's Latin in origin, but Serbian is definitely a Slavic language. It's almost interchangeable with Croatian/Bosnian for the most part, although there have been a number of changes to the vocabulary in both languages in the last 25 years since the war, presumably to distance themselves from one another.



We were taught British English in school and still use it to this day, despite my browser frequently telling me I'm spelling the words wrong. One of these days I will set it to British English instead of the default US English.

Pardon me if I am stupid, however Serbians are Balkan, not really slavic. There are some similarities between Slavic language and Balkan? I just don't know, I haven't been exposed to their language....

 

[MetalAlien]

Scottish or Irish girls are nice to listen to. Also that Borat 2 girl was fun.

 

[bati]

Well pretty much everyone loves Czech woman since they visit pornhub : D Glad to hear that however I really need to work on the expression....


Pardon me if I am stupid, however Serbians are Balkan, not really slavic. There are some similarities between Slavic language and Balkan? I just don't know, I haven't been exposed to their language....

Balkans are a region, Slavs are an ethnic group. It's two different things. However, Balkans are predominantly populated by Slavs.

 

[M1chl]

Scottish or Irish girls are nice to listen to. Also that Borat 2 girl was fun.

Scottish or Irish is really just an English speaking people, that's not what this thread is about tho : )

Balkans are a region, Slavs are an ethnic group. It's two different things. However, Balkans are predominantly populated by Slavs.

Okay thanks, I though that there is some distinction : )

 

[MetalAlien]

Scottish or Irish is really just an English speaking people, that's not what this thread is about tho : )

Yea says you. Ever try and understand what they are saying? Besides that Borat girl isn't a native speaker.

 

[M1chl]

Yea says you. Ever try and understand what they are saying? Besides that Borat girl isn't a native speaker.

I mean, yeah I think that with some training Scots and irish are easily understood, I haven't seen Borat 2 tho, not sure what are you refering to.

 

[MaestroMike]

lot of native English speakers have parents with English as their second language and are used to accents. personally, I'd like everyone in the world to speak English at least as a 2nd language

 

[M1chl]

lot of native English speakers have parents with English as their second language and are used to accents. personally, I'd like everyone in the world to speak English at least as a 2nd language

I agree about the English speaking, however at least in here this is not possible, people are really not to thrilled to learn another language, maybe because our language is really hard from grammatical stand point in a sense, in which they have been learni how to write in Czech for a 10 years, so vision of that they would have to put the same effort into learning something else, lot of people don't like (even if the premise is false.

 

[Elektro Demon]

Yup. From Slovenia.

Another Slav bro. Nice.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I feel like English is one of the few languages where you can be taken seriously while having an obviously non-native accent and that's precisely because there are far more non-native speakers than there are native speakers of the language. It's the language of international affairs and as such, as long as you can be understood, no one reasonable gives a shit about your accent.

The same can't be said for most other languages, I would wager.

 

[M1chl]

I feel like English is one of the few languages where you can be taken seriously while having an obviously non-native accent and that's precisely because there are far more non-native speakers than there are native speakers of the language. It's the language of international affairs and as such, as long as you can be understood, no one reasonable gives a shit about your accent.

The same can't be said for most other languages, I would wager.

I agree, however some accents are more fun to listen to than others and that's my issue. I don't want to bore people.