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Mimicking a foreign accent
Thread poster: Jack Doughty
Jack Doughty
Jack Doughty  Identity Verified
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In memoriam
Dec 8, 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8186961/Mimicking-a-foreign-accent-helps-you-communicate.html

I shall say zees only vonce - do you tink zees eez a good idea?


Gerard Barry
 
Robert Mavros
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Spain
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I vud zay Jaaa... Dec 8, 2010

if it weren't Steve McLaren, but....

Now seriously.... I do agree communication would be a bit easier but it is a bid ridiculous, isn't it? Imagine having a conversation in London with your Czech mate, your Spanish mate and your West Indies mate. Good material for a comedy sketch though


 
Yasutomo Kanazawa
Yasutomo Kanazawa  Identity Verified
Japan
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Very common in cinemas Dec 8, 2010

You hear English people mimicking American accents and vice versa, Spanish accents, Italian accents, you name it.

But I doubt the results of the study that speaking in a foreign accent to a foreigner would be better much understood.


 
Kelly Gill
Kelly Gill
Italy
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Italian to English
how is this for mimicking accents!! Dec 8, 2010

This guy is good!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dABo_DCIdpM


expressisverbis
 
christela (X)
christela (X)
Mimicking... and learning Dec 13, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYmrg3owTRE&feature=related

Have fun.


 
veratek
veratek
Brazil
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Yes and no Dec 13, 2010

Jack Doughty wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8186961/Mimicking-a-foreign-accent-helps-you-communicate.html

I shall say zees only vonce - do you tink zees eez a good idea?


I think it's a great idea to use when you are dealing with youngsters. It's fun, it makes them focus on deciphering a code, and stepping out of their conditioned way of thinking and listening. However, it could easily degenerate into mocking and other stupid attitudes and behaviors. It would all depend on the situation and how this idea is being implemented.

One thing I do at times with adult ESL students is to ask them to exaggerate completely a certain American accent, after listening to a short sound-byte (Southern or African-American accent, for example). Again, it's just a fun thing to do in class, but it can only be done with more leisurely groups. French adult professionals that are learning English at the office are usually too uptight to be able to enjoy this kind of exercise.


 
Rachel Fell
Rachel Fell  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:47
French to English
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@Kelly Dec 13, 2010

Kelly Gill wrote:

This guy is good!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dABo_DCIdpM

Brilliant!


 
Nesrin
Nesrin  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
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English to Arabic
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I do this unconsciously, all the time Dec 13, 2010

I can confirm the observations of these researchers, as I've noticed myself doing it, especially when talking to other non-native speakers of English who have a stronger foreign accent than mine - I find myself slipping into a "less native than usual" accent. It bothers me a lot, as it makes me feel over-deferential, that it may be a sign of weak personality.

I'm not sure how well this would work as a deliberate tactic though..


 
JapanLegal
JapanLegal  Identity Verified
Japan
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Japanese to English
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Mimicking = Learning Dec 14, 2010

Perhaps the subjects tended to understand better when mimicking the accents because they were learning something that had hitherto been unfamiliar to them at a more accelerated pace than those who hadn't been prompted to mimic? It seems to me that mimicking inherently requires learning, so this study just seems to be proving the obvious point that familiarity breeds understanding.

I used to have a rough time understanding Japanese-accented English, but after learning Japanese, I hav
... See more
Perhaps the subjects tended to understand better when mimicking the accents because they were learning something that had hitherto been unfamiliar to them at a more accelerated pace than those who hadn't been prompted to mimic? It seems to me that mimicking inherently requires learning, so this study just seems to be proving the obvious point that familiarity breeds understanding.

I used to have a rough time understanding Japanese-accented English, but after learning Japanese, I have no trouble whatsoever with even the strongest of Japanese accents. I've never used mimicking as a tactic for understanding Japanese speakers of English; my Japanese skills do the trick.

Incidentally, despite never having specifically tried to perfect my fake Japanese person's accent, I am able to mimic the accent with no trouble. I'd contrast this with my total inability to mimic the British or Australian accents, as well as the embarrassingly difficult time I have understanding the strong ones, despite the fact that English is my native language. Explanation? Lack of exposure and practice, it seems.
Collapse


 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugal
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I find this guy very talented and funny: Sep 20, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKIMFi-f-3g

 
Baran Keki
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Türkiye
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English to Turkish
Just came across this: Sep 21, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLxhSu3UuU4
It has nothing to do with talent apparently.


expressisverbis
 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
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Italian to English
Noah Sep 21, 2020

Jack Doughty wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8186961/Mimicking-a-foreign-accent-helps-you-communicate.html

I shall say zees only vonce - do you tink zees eez a good idea?


No. I donta thinka issa gudai dia.

Anda bai thi wei thi leenck essa no worka.

[Edited at 2020-09-21 10:58 GMT]


 
Rachel Fell
Rachel Fell  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:47
French to English
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Well... Sep 21, 2020

Tom in London wrote:

Anda bai thi wei thi leenck essa no worka.

[Edited at 2020-09-21 09:43 GMT]


...it's a link from ten years ago!


 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugal
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English to Portuguese
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Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) Sep 21, 2020

Baran Keki wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLxhSu3UuU4
It has nothing to do with talent apparently.


Although I wasn't entirely familiar with FAS, it doesn't surprise me, because someone close who undergone a brain surgery developed similar symptoms, during his complicated recovery.


 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 05:47
Member (2015)
English to Portuguese
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Subscription Sep 21, 2020

Tom in London wrote:

Jack Doughty wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8186961/Mimicking-a-foreign-accent-helps-you-communicate.html

I shall say zees only vonce - do you tink zees eez a good idea?


No. I donta thinka issa gudai dia.

Anda bai thi wei thi leenck essa no worka.

[Edited at 2020-09-21 09:43 GMT]


It seems you need to be a subscriber in order to read the full article.
Here's an identical one:
https://www.communicaid.com/business-language-courses/blog/is-mimicking-a-foreign-accent-more-effective-than-learning-the-language/


 
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Mimicking a foreign accent






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