OT:Know anything about South Africa/Capetown?

waves · 01-21-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly11

maybe she speaks more than English, maybe that's why she has an accent?

Ok.

Um, No. She most likely speaks English as mother tongue. She probably also speaks Afrikaans and may be fully bilingual, but that would not be the reason for the "accented English" - it is only a regional difference.... like a Boston accent.

I say this based on the fact you said she sounded sort-of Australian to you at first.

S. African English speech does have similar sounds to Australian speech... they are different, but much closer to each other than they are to ANY accent in the US!)

~ waves ~

bizi · 01-21-2013, 09:20 PM

I had an great uncle who grew up in south africa and had the neatest sounding british accent...at least that is what I remembered. I like europian accents...so sophisticated and usually more educated, multi lingual etc.
bizi

waves · 01-21-2013, 09:49 PM

That's cool Bizi. One of the guys next door to me my sophomore year was from S. Africa, totally cool accent. We would sometimes hang out with a few others in our lounge and watch Carson when the frat folk were off getting drunk.

oops... dating myself here.

more recently when i visiting a friend there was a housemate from S. Africa, i find the accent quite soft and pleasant. It is British-based as you noticed. Even with all the diversity between US accents, the US vs UK differences so very pronounced (no pun intended) that each often lump the others all together.

Speaking of accents, do you ever watch The Closer with Kyra Sedgewick? She sounds really "genu-WHINE" to me

...... it was quite a shock when i learned she's from New York! LOL. I'd love to hear from a Atlanta native if her accent is as "dead on" as it sounds to me.

~ waves ~

bizi · 01-21-2013, 10:03 PM

Dear Waves,
never watched it.
hope you are doing well these days.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Mari · 01-21-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waves

Ok.

Um, No. She most likely speaks English as mother tongue. She probably also speaks Afrikaans and may be fully bilingual, but that would not be the reason for the "accented English" - it is only a regional difference.... like a Boston accent.

I say this based on the fact you said she sounded sort-of Australian to you at first.

S. African English speech does have similar sounds to Australian speech... they are different, but much closer to each other than they are to ANY accent in the US!)

~ waves ~

Sorry,

I messed that up.

Thanks Waves for correcting me.

M

waves · 01-22-2013, 09:24 AM

Dear Mari

Actually, I was not trying to correct you at all!

I did not see anything messed up in what you posted!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mari

Quote:

Originally Posted by waves

Ok.

Um, No. She most likely speaks English as mother tongue. She probably also speaks Afrikaans and may be fully bilingual, but that would not be the reason for the "accented English" - it is only a regional difference.... like a Boston accent.

I say this based on the fact you said she sounded sort-of Australian to you at first.

S. African English speech does have similar sounds to Australian speech... they are different, but much closer to each other than they are to ANY accent in the US!)

~ waves ~

Sorry,

I messed that up.

Thanks Waves for correcting me.

M

It was this specific comment by Butterfly, in particular the last part, that elicited my response to her:

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly11

maybe she speaks more than English, maybe that's why she has an accent?

It is possible this person speaks English as a second language, but the fact she sounds "sort of Australian" suggests otherwise to me. Simply asking about other languages is fine.

I was more trying to say, from a social point of view, that in conversation, it I think it best not to "link" the perceived accent to speaking other languages. I would not even ask if English is her first language, but instead let the other person offer that information if they feel like it.

I say this because these things might not always go over well. Some people are not sensitive about such things, but others are. In the latter cases, it may not be obvious - a person might give a polite/good-natured reply even if they feel put off.

~ waves ~

Mari · 01-22-2013, 01:42 PM

Waves,

Quote:

I say this because these things might not always go over well. Some people are not sensitive about such things, but others are. In the latter cases, it may not be obvious - a person might give a polite/good-natured reply even if they feel put off.

I understand. I apologize.

M

waves · 01-22-2013, 03:48 PM

Dear Mari...

oh dear. I don't know how I have still managed to leave you with the impression there was something wrong / to apologize for.... but i assure you, there isn't. Please don't worry!!!

you are fine. all your posts are fine - and very informative! information is always helpful!

~ waves ~

butterfly11 · 01-22-2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waves

Dear Butterfly,

As my former French Teacher would say "what you don't know 'bout, leave it out." he was referring to exams, but i found it works in life, at work, in general.

Some people do enjoy being asked about their comings and goings. Especially in this case if she is new to the US as I understand it? I however grew up kind of left and right and found questions about where i'd been tiresome... they always came from people i did not know well and with whom i did not wish to share. you could ask how she is doing after the move, focusing more on the here and now... has the settling in been smooth for her in the US? stay general... give her a chance to 1) share OR 2) give you a short vague answer and change subjects.

Personally, i'd much rather be asked more "superficial" and common things at first, and i do the same. have you seen <recent movie> ... did you like it? do you read much... enjoy music? gardening is one possibility, or the more general "how do you like to spend your leisure time?" i also like the other person to share if they are going to ask a particular question. so if asking specific questions, best to ask about things you are interested in. don't ask if she collects stamps if you could care less to have a conversation about stamps!

you and this woman have at least one really "easy" topic in common too... your kids... you can talk about how they were as babies, when they started to talk, were they fussy or quiet, etc... talk about your experiences as moms.... you probably had very different experiences with each of your kids.

also, nothing says you have to "lead" the conversation. you can let her lead. if she misses South Africa, she might start talking to you about it without being asked. that might be entertaining. if so, then you can ask questions in the context of what she tells.

it can also be nice to sip tea and relax in company, yet not maintain rigorous conversation. just sit quietly at times, perhaps with the odd comment. that depends on the company - some can do it, some can't. i rather like it.

------------------------------------

i chuckled at the Queen of England question, because i've been asked that before. i doubt you came off as duhhh. trust me from personal experience A LOT of folks are not aware of when (or sometimes WHETHER) former colonies, gained independence, unless they have lived there personally. I don't! so, i wouldn't worry about seeming DUHHH. And although I may not have liked to be interrogated on my comings and goings, I never thought anyone stupid for their curiosity, or even misconceptions. You personally strike me as a bright individual... i'm certain that comes through in person. Remember that even the most intelligent people don't know everything about everything! So lay your worries to rest, in that department.

Mostly try to relax and enjoy yourself. Go with the flow. ~~~

~ waves ~

I think you are onto something waves. This is her first time in the US. In retrospect I was bombarding her with questions about her hometown. She seems to miss it there so I though she'd want to talk about it. I guess I just wanted to convey that I care and am interested. Because of her husband's job they will be here for 3 years. I just feel sorry for her because she already misses home and her family.

Awesome questions/idea. I am going to have to write them down and make a "cheat sheet" for when she come over. ha!

butterfly11 · 01-22-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizi

you can ask her open ended questions...I like what waves had to say.
So she can elaborate or not depending upon her desires.
I would not worry too much about this...sorry that you are though.
my mother in law said it is going to be below 0 tonight...happy for our warm temps to day. wonder what their winters are like?

bizi

good question! I don't know what their winters are like. I saw penguins in a video Mari sent me, so maybe it gets cold. Or that could have been a zoo.

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