In Liberia, many had a hard time understanding me – and I also had a hard time understanding them. I am sure there were a couple of times when I was having one conversation and the person I was speaking to was having a different conversation. I found it easier to talk face to face than on the phone. At least hand gestures and expressions can help. But even then, it was difficult.
I was looking forward to being understood in England. I was born in England and even though I moved to California when I was 5, I absolutely love the accent and don’t usually have a problem understanding it either. Little did I know that people would have problems understanding me. I tried to order a tomato on a sandwich and I was not able to pronounce it correctly. After 5 attempts my uncle decided to step in and put in the order (at least he understood me! 
.) I was trying to ask another woman where I could find the stairs in the restaurant to go the toilet. She kept on saying , yes you can go up the stairs.
I guess the multiple viewings of the miniseries Pride and Prejudice have not improved my British English skills at all.
Comment by Patrick Cook — December 30, 2009 @ 12:03 am |
If you want to practise your British English skills, let me know – I can do conversation classes!
Funnily enough I had the same tomato on a sandwich issue, the first time I came to San Francisco I was trying to order a cheese and tomato sandwich and could *not* make myself understood. In the end, Sumi had to ask for me, in ‘American’!!
Comment by Clare — January 5, 2010 @ 11:11 pm |