[Gobbler]

I always presumed that he's actually Inuit, so it would make sense.

[ftr]

Do you regularly learn how to pronounce words from foreign films?

I'd say that if you want to know how to pronounce a British word, a British film isn't that bad a place to start...

[AdamM]

Uh-huh. Just like we take all our pronunciations of words that are French, Spanish, Portugeuse, Dutch, German, Indian, etc. in origin from those respective countries instead of imposing our own on them

[Chyld]

Yes, because American takes so much from French, Spanish, Portugeuse, Dutch, German, Indian, etc. Actually, I'm lying, they're completly different languages, and bear no real similarities.

What's that, you say? American isn't a language? You mean its almost identical to a language from England? Blimey, my monocle fell off in surprise!

And now I really want a monocle. Seriously, they're pimptacular.

[Gobbler]

Uh~oh, I can already see where this is heading towards...

[ftr]

Let's stop this nonsense before it turns into a horrible mess.

Essentially, American English = British English. Yes there are differences but for the most part they are the same. Therefore it's more credible for an American to use a British film to gain an insight into pronunciation than it is for a British chap to use a French film for the same reason. The Brit and the American are already talking the same language.

[bobsickle]

Let's stop this nonsense before it turns into a horrible mess.

Essentially, American English = British English. Yes there are differences but for the most part they are the same. Therefore it's more credible for an American to use a British film to gain an insight into pronunciation than it is for a British chap to use a French film for the same reason. The Brit and the American are already talking the same language.

One word: dialect.

[Gobbler]

Two if you're cross-eyed.

[ftr]

One word: dialect.

English isn't the only country with dialects, you know.

Try spending a week in Cannes on an exchange trip. Then another week in Nice. May as well forget everything you know...

[bobsickle]

English isn't the only country with dialects, you know.

Try spending a week in Cannes on an exchange trip. Then another week in Nice. May as well forget everything you know...

Note why watching foreign videos to learn how to speak the language is a bad idea. I congratulate you on that Mr Doo.

[ftr]

But we're not talking about learning a foreign language. We're talking about seeing how a certain group of people pronounce certain words IN THE SAME LANGUAGE.. Completely different.

[bobsickle]

But we're not talking about learning a foreign language. We're talking about seeing how a certain group of people pronounce certain words IN THE SAME LANGUAGE.. Completely different.

It's not completely different. Yes, it's different, but not completely different. Also, I only said that because of your argument. Plus the fact that variations in how the English language are spoken are at least as big in Britain as in America. And now I shall quote my own thoughtstream to some up my thoughts on the American language right now.
"American English. Like British English, but with mild dyslexia."

[AdamM]

Yes, because American takes so much from French, Spanish, Portugeuse, Dutch, German, Indian, etc. Actually, I'm lying, they're completly different languages, and bear no real similarities.

Oh really?

French words: admire, chocolate, formidable, vogue
Spanish and Portuguese: alligator, banana, embargo, hurricane, mosquito
Dutch: easel, landscape, smuggle, yacht
German: angst, blitz, kaput, rucksack, waltz
Hindi: dinghy, jungle, pyjamas, shampoo, thug

Now then Chyld, tell me how many of these words you pronounce in their native accents. What's that? None of them? Blimey, my monocle fell off in surprise!

"American English. Like British English, but with mild dyslexia."

Hmm, what was that Orat was saying about snobby British people...?

[Gobbler]

Oh really?

German: kaput

We do have the word "kaputt", but - like you - we only nicked that from Yiddish (which in turn is a High German language, but never mind about that now).

Also, it really wouldn't hurt if you guys made a habit of watching foreign movies in their original tone for the purpose of gaining a better understanding on how to pronounce stuff. Ever seen a jewish American coming to Israel, trying to blabber away in what he or she thinks is Hebrew? Mazel tov indeed.

This post has been edited by Gobbler: 27 November 2008 - 09:02 AM

[Chyld]

Now then Chyld, tell me how many of these words you pronounce in their native accents. What's that? None of them? Blimey, my monocle fell off in surprise!

But... but its my monocle