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I never thought of it this way. I'm American and I can understand fluent English speaking Europeans way better than I can understand British, unless that Britis
by vmception 6y ago
I never thought of it this way. I'm American and I can understand fluent English speaking Europeans way better than I can understand British, unless that British person is from London. 70%? That's optimistic. I don't even think I am understanding words, only the most likely context in the flow of a conversation and the most likely way to react.
Fluent Northern European English (Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia, North Germany) almost blends into "normal" English to me. It is kind of shocking.
- downerending 6y agoIME as an American, London British can be quite hard to understand, especially at a high word rate (which was my experience). Yes.. it.. turns.. out.. that.. speaking.. slowly.. does.. make.. it.. easier.. to.. understand.
- ploika 6y agoTo my Irish ears, fluent English from Dutch people in particular can often sound slightly American.
- tigershark 6y agoIn this case I think that you have never spoken with people from London with cockney accent..
- lmm 6y agoIt's not "normal" English, it's specifically American English - a lot of Europeans have learned from (or at least been heavily influenced by) American movies etc., so they speak an American style.
- vmception 6y agoYeah yeah I didn’t think of “familiar dialect“ at the time which is why the quotes were there to let pedantic people know I’m aware there probably is a better term