Way to Russia Talk Lounge

tiktokman · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:38 am Post subject: Brit vs. Yank English

When I worked in Moscow (for 5 years) I came across many Russians who wanted me to improve their English, simply because they wanted to speak with my accent (British/Australian). One encounters many Russians who have learned their English from an American teacher - but they don't like the accent they've picked up!

Also, many patriotic Russians loathe having American culture, the former capitalist enemy, and NATO expansion, forced down their throats. Even the Yank dollar is the preferred currency over there.

This results in a leaning toward European/Australian accents which are avidly sought after. Russian itself is accent based and like British class culture, determines how educated you are.

StephenB. · VIP Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 810

What kind of English accent? There are many, I doubt that they are looking for Australian accents, one could hardly understand them. Australian accents are very different than UK English. If they want to speak clearly then I would say Canadian English; my God do you want them to sound like Olivia Newton-John or the late Steve Irwin. "Aye mate". Most Russians that speak English do not speak with an American accent. The majority of them are taught by their own people.

Paul Holmes · VIP Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 851

Agreed that most want to learn the basic English (UK), not the garbage slang.
But Canadian English is considered the most neutral and it is the preferred dialect to be taught in Asian countries. It has elements of both Bristish and American. But years of influence from the USA, it is mostly American. The joke is that Canadian speaks like an American and writes like a Brit.
Language is for communication and dialects and slang destroy the language. problem with both the British and Americans, it is not their basic language, but it has so many diverse dialects that even people in their own country have difficulty understanding. Crabman, can you completely understand someone from Aberdeen?
Most Russians would rather speak like the Newscasters on BBC than a cockney accent. Also do not forget that they have better chance to visit Great Britain than the USA.

Paul Holmes · VIP Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 851

Stephen, if i dropped you off in Northern Newfoundland, you would asking them to speak English. Like I said that majority of them would like to speak like the Newscasters of the country Canada, USA, Australia, and Great Britian. We all have pluses and minuses even within our country.
My mother's sister is (Aunt), I say Awnt others say Ant. I reply she does not have 6 legs and live in a hole in the ground.

What about the collaspe of grammar? How many programs like Microsoft Office who default to US Grammar change the nation's ability to keep its own grammar?

StephenB. · VIP Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 810

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

the funny thing with english is that all of us sing American...ever noticed that in music the accent mostly goes away. Personally if Russians want to be so pro russian etc. Shoot just stay with speaking russian. And what does it matter...regardless they are going to have an accent

tiktokman · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:42 am Post subject:

You've obviously never listened to "The Proclaimers' or 'Ian Drury & The Blockheads"!!! Laughing

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

I have...you are right and you got me!

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 418

When I was in Kiev, I met 2 women from Australia who said they were teaching English to employees of one of the 'stan embassies in Kiev. My taxi driver attended school in Kiev to learn English. He had heard British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and American English but thought Canadian English was the easiest for him to understand.

tiktokman · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:14 am Post subject: Aussie English

During my 5 years in Russia, I found that the overwhelming opinion was that Americans spoke too fast, where as Brits and Aussies spoke slower and - more importantly - enunciated their words better - and were therefore easier to understand. Like many other expats, I adopted a slower and more precise way of speaking English, without too much slang, so that I was easier to understand; the net result is that Russians wanted to speak English the way I did - because they understood me. Others, particularly Americans without experience in foreign countries, did not make any allowances for the locals and were constantly having to repeat themselves and being misunderstood.