Today’s Language Fun post might change your perception of English as a language!
British people often find it very frustrating when their English is not understood by foreign people.
A British woman came up with a rather unconventional idea…
Ever wondered why most French people are so reluctant to speak English?
This might be the beginning of an explanation. (Warning: not to be taken seriously)
Watch out next time you are struck with migraine, this is what could happen to you…
I cannot embed the video so click on the link to view it.
In case migraine changes your accent or language to Spanish, make sure you practise the correct pronunciation of the Spanish word for ‘chicken’ (pollo) so you don’t have to chicken out when ordering poultry at the restaurant…
Al on the 22nd of January 2011 @ 15:42
Thanks for the chuckles, Armelle. The accent disorder video was very strange. Although would a French person really pronounced ‘Kay’ like that?
By the way, the first clip is from Smack the Pony.
Armelle Europe on the 22nd of January 2011 @ 16:17
Al: glad you enjoyed :)
I guess some French people could pronounce Kay like this. But the neuropsychologist in the video is right, it is all a matter of perception. She doesn’t really have a French accent in my opinion.
I have to check about Smack the Pony, it’s new to me, thanks for letting me know.
herman vandecauter on the 22nd of January 2011 @ 18:54
I like the first very much!But I prefer to eat and drink like the french.
Armelle Europe on the 23rd of January 2011 @ 08:58
Herman: I love the first one too. Typical British sense of humour :)
Ken Keenan on the 23rd of January 2011 @ 20:56
It sounds more like an Italian accent to me!
Armelle Europe on the 23rd of January 2011 @ 22:15
Ken: I think her accent is not that identifiable. In any case, it’s a strange story!
Ken Keenan on the 23rd of January 2011 @ 23:13
I agree, it’s not “really” a French or Italian accent. My theory is that whatever brain injury she has sustained, it has caused the stress pattern in her speech to change. English tends to place stress on the first syllable of words, whereas in French the stress is usually (very lightly) on the last syllable and in Italian, the next-to-last syllable.