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Poll: "Foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact"
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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Jun 4, 2025

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question ""Foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact"".

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mustafdiriye
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 13:47
Member (2007)
Inggris menyang Portugis
+ ...
Other Jun 4, 2025

I worked for 20 years in an EU Institution where practically everyone spoke a language that was not their own, so there was a more or less pronounced accent. Furthermore, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city where, in addition to the three national languages, many other languages are spoken. According to statistics, 187 nationalities live in Brussels. All this to say that I have a very accommodating ear for any kind of accent...

Liena V.
Jennifer Levey
mustafdiriye
Lara Nunes
Philip Lees
neilmac
 
Liena V.
Liena V.  Identity Verified
Latvia
Local time: 15:47
Member (2014)
Prancis menyang Latvia
+ ...
Other Jun 4, 2025

No idea, but hearing people speak my language with an accent always warms my heart because they have put effort into learning it or are at least trying to.
As for other languages, as long as I can understand them it doesn't really matter although there are some accents I am particularly fond of, from a purely phonetic perspective.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Philip Lees
neilmac
 
Luca Adie
Luca Adie
Germany
Local time: 14:47
Jerman menyang Inggris
+ ...
Yes Jun 4, 2025

I'm far more attracted to a foreigner's accent than that of a southern English twat.



Liena V.
Maria Laura Curzi
neilmac
 
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Oscar Núñez Alfaro  Identity Verified
Costa Rica
Local time: 06:47
Member (Oct 2026)
Inggris menyang Spanyol
+ ...
Not accents, but languages themselves. Jun 4, 2025

I would say that I interact in the same way, no matter the accent. On the other hand, I could interact differently when I speak English or Spanish. I am trying to learn French and I see myself more expressive.

Lara Nunes
 
MollyRose
MollyRose  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:47
Inggris menyang Spanyol
+ ...
Consciously Jun 4, 2025

I have to listen more carefully in order to distinguish the words they are saying, since they are not pronounced in a way that I am used to. This includes native English or Spanish speakers with a different regional accent. Also, if it appears that their level of comprehension of my speech is not "up to par," I slow down a bit to make sure that I articulate all my words clearly (using the same technique that I appreciate when I have difficulty understanding others' speech). If I am aware that th... See more
I have to listen more carefully in order to distinguish the words they are saying, since they are not pronounced in a way that I am used to. This includes native English or Spanish speakers with a different regional accent. Also, if it appears that their level of comprehension of my speech is not "up to par," I slow down a bit to make sure that I articulate all my words clearly (using the same technique that I appreciate when I have difficulty understanding others' speech). If I am aware that they are learning the language, I slow down even more, to give them time to translate my words and phrases in their minds and comprehend the message I am conveying. ▲ Collapse


Maria Laura Curzi
Dr. Stephan Pietzko
 


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Poll: "Foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact"






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