I'm Not A Racist, But..............Understanding Accents.

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Originally posted by Honda_X

But yeah man, it's irritating how easily people get offended and upset about shit that doesn't concern them.

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Originally posted by davey45

My dad and his family are from Cuba, so I don't have much of a problem with Spanish accents even though I hardly speak any Spanish. However, there are some accents that I can hardly understand at all. I have a Jamaican customer who speaks with such a thick accent, I can't make out what he says at all. As far as the guy at Subway or the customer service call centers in other countries, you either deal with companies that exploit cheap foreign labor or you choose not to. Honda, may I suggest that the next time you want a tasty sub, you find a mom and pop sub shop in your area and give them a shot. It'll probably cost a little more but it'll taste better and you'll be able to understand what the guy at the counter is saying.

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Originally posted by snoopy7666

English is probably one of the easiest languages to learn of all the major languages around the world.

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Originally posted by omuh

@scrog : I think he tries to speak faster without enunciating all the syllables because y'know it's cooler. Problem is, when you have a french accent, it's not a good idea

@bangledesh : Hum I'm not convinced. I found english really easy to learn for the exact reason that there isn't 100 way to write a verb in its conjugation. There are 3 + some simple composed structures and that's it. All you have to know then is the irregular verbs and you're good. In the other side, even french people have trouble knowing all the form of conjugation and rules of simple french grammar... German seems harder because it's really close to Latin with declination for nouns too and different word placement according to the sentence.
Maybe I had less trouble learning english because it has a similar sentence structure to french.

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Originally posted by Honda_X

So, your uncle is Madonna?

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Originally posted by Cruiser9

Let's face it.....We live in America!

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Originally posted by Bank

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I live in America. We do not all live in America.

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Originally posted by snoopy7666

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My two cents' worth:
These incidents occur in America, where English is the original and still the dominant language. A person from another land comes here for some of the same reasons millions have always come to America, gets a job in retail or food service where they will have a high level of vocal contact with mostly English-speaking people...they struggle with the nuances of English and speak it in a broken fashion, as well as having a decidedly foreign accent. Their customers can't understand them and frustration ensues, probably on both sides of the simple conversation... This situation occurs millions of times every day across America. I don't have a solution to suggest that wouldn't sound racist to some, but it seems to me that if you are going to work with English-speaking people, you have to get up to speed on how to communicate effectively in English. The employers are clearly culpable in this problem, because they hire and pay cheap, and don't really seem to care if customers are turned off by the whole language thing.
When I go to the local Wal-Mart, often I don't hear a word of English...and when I can find a clerk, they look at me like I have two heads, while fumbling with words I don't comprehend...and it's abundantly clear that they do not understand the words I'm speaking...
As cruel an' un-globalist as I'm sure it sounds, I can't help but have a bit of Teddy Roosevelt attitude about this, and simply say that if one is going to come to America, where English is the dominant language, then learn the language.
English is probably one of the easiest languages to learn of all the major languages around the world. If one absolutely cannot or will not learn to communicate effectively in the English language, they should realize they are in the wrong place and do something about it.

Lastly, I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me that too many people come to America thinking it's the promised land, and expect America and Americans to change and tolerate and accommodate to them as if they are back wherever they came from. I feel damned fortunate to have been born in America...I had nothing to do with it, but I feel very lucky indeed. What galls me is when people from other countries come here to live, but rather than assimilate into American culture, they fully expect and often demand that America and Americans will bend over backwards to accommodate them, be sensitive to them, respect and tolerate their often strange and different ways...but our ancestors built this country, not theirs. Our ancestors died for this country, not for theirs. Some of their ancestors and fellow countrymen have plotted and schemed to kill Americans...so don't condemn me if I rightly feel that they should - as TR said a century ago - 'Become an American and all that that entails...or go back to where you came from if you can't or won't - the door swings both ways.'

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Originally posted by rainbowdemon

Had that problem with Cajuns.

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Originally posted by hydrahead

Speak the kings english or go back to you all crawdaddy fishin.

Dayam.