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Benedict Arnold

Which English speakers do you have difficulty understanding?

Apart from the United Kingdom, English is spoken in Canada, Ireland, the United States, India, Australia and several other countries. 

I have difficulty understanding English as spoken by natives of India, and some of the dialects spoken by natives of the United Kingdom.   

Posted - September 19, 2021
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Responses


  • 17596
    Understanding Scots can be a challenge.  But I love to hear them.  I have watched a few Scottish TV series on Netflix and the challenge has diminished a bit. 
      September 19, 2021 9:37 PM MDT
    3

  • 19937
    I was thinking the same thing, but I love the accent.  I used to watch Craig Ferguson on late night sometimes and I loved listening to him.  Much like the OP, I have difficulty with some native India speakers, especially on the phone.  
      September 20, 2021 6:50 AM MDT
    3

  • 6023
    American Sign Language.
    I can't understand a thing they are saying.

    Yes, those "tech support" people from other countries are difficult to understand.

    People who have speech impediments, due to ALS or similar, are often difficult to understand.

    People who have the TV turned up to maximum volume are almost impossible to understand.
      September 20, 2021 10:39 AM MDT
    3

  • 10639

    Most of the ones on phones.  I swear, even if you're lucky enough to actually get a live person on the phone, 9 out of 10 times they don’t speak English.  (It’s a job requirement)

    --- 


    Thank you for calling 911 emergency.  This call may be monitored for quality assurance.  Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed. 

    If this is a medical emergency, press 1. 

    If this is a non medical emergency, press 2. 

    (*1*)

    If you're experiencing trouble breathing, press 1. 

    If you are experiencing a stroke, press 2.

    If you're experiencing heart issues, press 3. 

    For all other issues, press 9. 

    (*3*)

    If you are having a heart attack, press 1. 

    If your heart has stopped, press 2.  

    For all other heart issues, press 9.

    (Pause, *1*)

    I’m sorry, I do not recognize that input.  

    If you are having a heart attack, press 1. 

    If your heart has stopped, press 2.  

    For all other heart issues, press 9.

    (*1*)

     

    Operator: Dank u baa culg 91v.  Fly blame Bob, chow mgfz blue?

    Caller: I’m … having ... a … heart …attack!

    Operator: I story to cheer ddzzzw, sur.  Evorb kin or meken. 

    Caller: What?

    Operator: Did evort kin or meeken?

    Caller: I’m … having ... heart …attack!!!!

    Operator: Guy undarstind, sur.  Did ebvort kin or meeken?

    Caller: Heart... attack!  Heart... attack! 

    Operator: Guy undarstind tblat sur.  Ebvort kin or meeken?

    Caller: (*groan*) meeken!  Meeken!

    Operator: I is sorry, sir, tofu ken milk?

    Caller: Speak...  Engli… oooo… ack … oooo…..  (*sound of a body hitting the floor*)

    Operator: Yez sir.  Guy undarstind.  Peas ebvort, kin or meeken.

    …………………… sir?  ……. Sir? …………………………… sir?  ……………. Tahtnk uu for bailentg 911.  Jaw k glued blag.

      September 20, 2021 2:23 PM MDT
    4

  • 44617
    deep southern-american rednecks.

    This post was edited by Element 99 at September 24, 2021 5:44 PM MDT
      September 24, 2021 5:27 PM MDT
    1

  • As a kid I had difficulty understanding English as spoken by many residents of the southern region of the United States.  I gradually learned to understand the spoken English of that region. 
      September 24, 2021 5:47 PM MDT
    1

  • 11109
    People from Newfoundland Canada. Cheers and happy weekend!
      September 24, 2021 6:15 PM MDT
    2