Poll: "Foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact" Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question ""Foreign accents subconsciously shape the way we interact"".
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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. 
Latvia
Local time: 20:19
Member (2014)
French to Latvian
+ ...
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.
| | | | Luca Adie
Germany
Local time: 19:19
German to English
+ ...
I'm far more attracted to a foreigner's accent than that of a southern English twat.
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Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Costa Rica
Local time: 11:19
Member (Oct 2026)
English to Spanish
+ ...
| 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.
| | | | MollyRose
United States
Local time: 12:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
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
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