Accents

Lifestyle Relationships
1

I’ve been seeing a lot of guys on these rishta sites and rishta connections, and when you hear about them or read their profiles, they say they’ve been in the states for > 20 yrs.

Which means they roughly came here when they were teens if they’re in their 30’s.

But then you talk to them, and it is blatant fob accent.

How long does it really take for the accent to die down, or are these guys BS’ing and they actually came here like 2 years ago and are looking to screw someone over for a visa?

2

Re: Accents

No, not necessarily. My husband came to the States when he was 16…he’s now 40…still has a accent…not a thick ass fobby accent, but you can definitely tell he wasn’t born and raised here. Doesn’t bother me, obviously, since I married the guy :hehe:

3

Re: Accents

I have friends who came here in their teens and the accents are either gone or faded, but not strong.

4

Re: Accents

I came to the U.S. in 6th grade. Although I don’t hear it…I’ve been told by many people including hubby that I have a slight accent. Apparently it gets worse when I’m tired. :hoonh: Also, I have a very close friend who came to the U.S. when he was around 18/19. Currently he’s in his mid 40’s. Although his English is fluent…he still has an accent. I’m not talking about heavy FOB accents like our parents…but you can definitely tell that he (and I guess me too) immigrated from another country.

BTW, since being used for legal status is a concern for you (and a valid concern by all means)…then once you meet a guy a few times and there is MUTUAL attraction, why not just flat out ask for proof that he’s a U.S. citizen?

5

Re: Accents

It could be worse, PCG. Like a brown guy with a Paula Deen accent.

6

Re: Accents

There are various desi accents depending on where you're from, depending on your education level too. Unfortunately, many pakistanis don't get great education. So their accents can be quite tough to deal with, because it's not just an accent issue, it's poor grammar and poor English.

You should be able to communicate with your spouse.

Ah, all the problems that plague our population.

7

Re: Accents

they say once you're 9 yrs old or older.. its hard to work on ur accent.

8

Re: Accents

I speak with Amreekan accent with goras/western desis and desi accents with desis. It just happens automatically :hehe:

I get in a pickle when both are involved in the same convo :-/

9

Re: Accents

Came here in early 20 s. By that time accent is set. During those days some contemporaries tried too hard to change their accent. Sounded artificial. Was jarring - Like rubbing finger nail on blackboard.

I maintain the same accent with desist and pardesis. With colleagues who are very familiar I speak at the same pace as with desis. With non technical people I do force myself to slow down a bit.

Some changes occur naturally - eg - z is zee not zed. When I speak with them Indians I make an effort to say zed.

10

Re: Accents

The 20 somethings who come over now are more confident. They speak their own accent and are comfortable. Putting on an accent to fit in is thankfully not part of their approach.

11

I agree with southie. People trying to fake their accent is bigger issue to me then worrying about someone who has an accent even after living in the US for several years. As long as is not super fobby accent, all is good. Try living in NYC, accents won't bother you.

12

Re: Accents

Europeans don't worry about super fobby accent. Neither should we?

13

Re: Accents

Hai. Can’t even speak Angrezi when I know the other guy understands Urdu. Angrezi just feels weird. :smack:

14

Re: Accents

I talked to my Dad about moving and he told me to work on my accent, among other things. So apparently it is important.
Though I have no idea how I’m gonna accomplish that :sid:

15

Accents

I think its natural for people to pick up accents according to who they are talking to or where they are living. Its the process of ensuring effective communication.

For example; my accent would be different to my normal one, if i was speaking to a european/ mid eastern/ south asian/ african accented people, by naturally picking up/ imitating their pronunciation of some words, intonations, pace, body language, hand movement etc.

It doesnt mean its fake as you dont initially realise it. Its just the need to communicate more easily, and the mind naturally picks up on these things.

16

Re: Accents

Whats up with these Pakistanis and Indians adopting a fake accent? I have found many recent arrivals trying to speak in a fake accent and I find it funny becoz its so easy to see they are faking it.

17

Re: Accents

I came here when I was 15. I don't have an accent, but I've been told that sometimes I mispronounce certain words. For example:
-status is pronounced like "statue" (not stay-tus)
-^ same with data
-contributed is not pronounced like "contribution"

I think age matters in your ability to adopt. But so does your observation and attention to detail. Not everyone is that observant and not everyone cares either.

18

Re: Accents

Gina beyhosh

19

Re: Accents

I know someone who moved here when they were in their early teens and never lost their accent, someone else moved here around the same time, and has a completely American accent. Depends on how hard you work at it I guess.

20

Re: Accents

What's worse? Pakistanis adopting a fake accent or those who live in Pak/or have lived there a sufficient amount of time and pretend that they don't know Urdu? Or what really baffles me is how my cousins who were born and raised here (and even those outside of the family)...they hear their parents say basic words like theek, acha, etc...all their lives and yet when they say such basic words themselves...there's an American twang to it. Strangely the eldest child tends to be more fluent in the language or grasps the accent...and in the subsequent children...it's much much weaker....although they receive daily exposure to the language as well. This is just based on my observations.....it's something I've never understood.