What do you look like?

[greg]

That's because a lot of the Mexicans don't speak English "very good" (or rather, very well).

That's just normal. I still have that sometimes after having lived here for almost 5 years. With some people, I can speak very fluently, with some people, I also kinda...uh...like freeze up and stuff. That's because a lot of people don't actually listen to you when you speak, no matter if you are a local or a foreigner. They just don't really listen. So when they speak to another local, they kind of get the idea, but when they speak to a foreigner who sounds different, they just don't understand what you are saying. That makes you feel as if you can't speak properly anymore, but it's not always your fault.

I have had situations where I talked to my boss about very complicated technical and other issues for 3h on the phone, no problem, then I call another number to order a pizza and it takes a long time to make the idiot on the other end understand what I want because he just doesn't listen properly. One thing gets on my nverves incredibly that a lot of people do here, especially Hispanic people: they always repeat what you said as a question. At first I thought that was because they have trouble understanding me, but then I noticed they always do that. It's an attitude and insecurity thing. Instead of paying attention to the people they speak to, they rather don't listen and think and just repeat what you said before it sinks into their brain. You will find that if you don't confirm what they asked back and just look t them, after a moment, they will actually understand you. Because they heard you, they just didn't listen.

Example:

I went to a lunch place in LA with colleagues, one of those places where they take your order, give you a number and then call it when the order is done. We placed our orders, got the numbers, but my number wasn't called even after all their stuff had been put on the counter. I go and look and there is a dish there which looks exactly like what I had ordered. Maybe the numbers just got confused? So I go to the counter guy, *point at the tray* and

Me: This is not my number, but that's exactly what I ordered.
Idiot: So what did you order?
Me: Exactly that.
Idiot: What do you mean, exactly that?
Me: That's what I ordered, but the number doesn't match my receipt.
Idiot: But it's what you ordered?
Me: Yes.
Idiot: And the number is different?
Me: Yes.
Idiot: What's your number?
Me: 134.
Idiot: 134?
Me: Yes.
Idiot (looks at the number on the tray): This is 137. What's your number again?
Me: 134.
Idiot: 134?
Me: Yes.
Idiot (pauses for a moment, looks at the number on the tray again) That's a different number.
Me: I know. That's what I said. But this is what I ordered.
Idiot: This is what you ordered?
Me: Yes.
Idiot (doesn't know what to say; but it looks like he is trying to think)
Me (aloud, to the other people waiting there): Does anyone have #137?
The other people waiting there (silent)
Me: OK, then I'll just take that.
Idiot: You wanna take that instead?
Me: Not instead. This is what I ordered.
Idiot: You ordered this?
Me (walking off with the tray)

that's hilarious...... glad i didn't go to that restaurant 

[greg]

here's a couple of pics from camping that i have had on my myspace page for a while now:






(the fort at St.Augustine)

[Sarastro]

That makes you feel as if you can't speak properly anymore, but it's not always your fault.

I think you are right. And sometimes in mood I have a slightest accent, that is not even noticeable by the most, so I feel myself extremely displeased, because they may think I'm handicapped and cannot speak properly. So then I force my accent to be stronger and it becomes clear I'm not a native one. I liked the story.

Sometimes I even say with a horrible accent "ai dont spik inglish", when Bank of America calls me hundred times a day. That is unbearable!!

[(poco) Sforzando]

Remember, you live in California, so you probably speak English better already than a lot of the natives here. If you want to blend in more, just say "uh" and "like" and "you know" all the time.

Mr. Forever is of course being satirical, but there's some element of truth in what he says. As far as I can ascertain, the use in popular speech of the word "like" (as a filler word, or to add emphasis) dates from the beatnik speech of the 1950s; it became familiar to millions of American TV viewers from the character of Maynard G. Krebs (played by the late Bob Denver) on the Dobie Gillis Show. And now the usage is pandemic among American speakers. All one can suggest to Sarastro is to resist with all his might.

On the other hand, like* many people learning English as a second language, Mr. Sarastro does make a few errors in grammar and idiom that he will probably correct over time if he intends to stay here permanently. The best thing, I think, is to keep listening to people who do use contemporary English effectively, and to be willing to learn from them if one says anything drastically incorrect. But Sarastro does very well for the most part; he's easy to understand when he writes here, and for the most part his sentences flow clearly. It's now just a matter of patiently trying to master the nuances of English syntax and acquire more vocabulary.

* Note proper use of the word "like."

[greg]

Mr. Forever is of course being satirical, but there's some element of truth in what he says. As far as I can ascertain, the use in popular speech of the word "like" (as a filler word, or to add emphasis) dates from the beatnik speech of the 1950s; it became familiar to millions of American TV viewers from the character of Maynard G. Krebs (played by the late Bob Denver) on the Dobie Gillis Show. And now the usage is pandemic among American speakers. All one can suggest to Sarastro is to resist with all his might.

lol, i, uh, like, totally didn't even know that, you know. 

[Hector]

I think you are right. And sometimes in mood I have a slightest accent, that is not even noticeable by the most, so I feel myself extremely displeased, because they may think I'm handicapped and cannot speak properly. So then I force my accent to be stronger and it becomes clear I'm not a native one. I liked the story.

Sometimes I even say with a horrible accent "ai dont spik inglish", when Bank of America calls me hundred times a day. That is unbearable!!

My sympathies.

My daughter was in LA over the summer and thought Californians "thick" because they could not understand plain English unless it was spoken in a "Californian" accent.

Asking for a plain mineral water became a chore until she understood this simple change.

Fortunately, she did not return with a Californian accent.

We have adverts on TV for California fronted, of course, by the Governator himself. I'm tempted

[head-case]

I don't know what to make of this.  I spent two stretches living in California and I did not notice that there was any unique "California accent" or that other accents were not recognized.  In fact, California is extraordinarily diverse, both with respect to ethnic makeup of the population and the number of languages spoken.  40% of Californian's speak a language other than English.

My sympathies.

My daughter was in LA over the summer and thought Californians "thick" because they could not understand plain English unless it was spoken in a "Californian" accent.

Asking for a plain mineral water became a chore until she understood this simple change.

Fortunately, she did not return with a Californian accent.

We have adverts on TV for California fronted, of course, by the Governator himself. I'm tempted

[M forever]

I don't know what to make of this.  I spent two stretches living in California and I did not notice that there was any unique "California accent" or that other accents were not recognized.  In fact, California is extraordinarily diverse, both with respect to ethnic makeup of the population and the number of languages spoken.  40% of Californian's speak a language other than English.

That's right: Californese. There are some English speakers there as well, but they are in the minority among the Spanish and Californese speakers.

[The new erato]

Isn't this Harry?:

[Harry]

Isn't this Harry?:

No that's Poju, (71Db)

[The new erato]

No that's Poju, (71Db)

That struck me as well, but as Elvis seems to have left the building, you were a very good second option.

[Harry]

That struck me as well, but as Elvis seems to have left the building, you were a very good second option.

O, dear I assure you, it could not be further removed from what I am.
Allthough he is the one that has everything under control.
In fact I disliked this series very much.
I am much more like Rene in Allo Allo.

[The new erato]

I am much more like Rene in Allo Allo.

Maybe you can lend me one of your serving maids?

[Harry]

Maybe you can lend me one of your serving maids?

No, no, no, I am very possessive, especially the small blond one......

[Sarastro]

to master the nuances of English syntax and acquire more vocabulary

And not only this. I also need to learn Geography, Biology, Chemistry, History, Mythology, some of Geology, musical terms - all them in English, and other things. It is voluntary. So do I.
Though something I already know, at least about Greek and Norse mythology. And a little in History, Geography. It is NICE.

[Kullervo]

It would appear our very own M Forever is now in a major motion picture.

[Brian]

And a fantastic one at that!

[M forever]

Here is a recent M pic for all my fans, taken in a hotel room in New Mexico during my epic journey across the entire (almost) US:

[greg]

Next pic, you have to dress up as a cowboy.

[uffeviking]

Here is a recent M pic for all my fans, taken in a hotel room in New Mexico during my epic journey across the entire (almost) US:

You cut your hair!