Most of the times, Indian accent is stereotyped...
while yes, its the most prominent and earthy english accent around, its way improved than what first generation migrants spoke.
I did my MS here and have been living here for the past 5 years, and most of what I hear from strangers and colleagues alike is a very surprised "How come you dont have that indian accent! you sound so neutral and non-indian."
So there... most of the indians now, speak better and understandably well. Its just the stereotype that runs around..
As far as understanding foreign accents goes-- whether its English or American,
what takes getting used to is not he accent but the lingo... there is a hell of a lot of difference in what you know of a language from reading and writing(or having it as your second language), and what you hear when you actually listen to people who have it as their first(and only) language.
Like there are in-jokes in any language, native speakers evolve it generation after generation and take liberties and add to it, so that only people who have been in the community or known to that lifestyle or time are in to the evolution of it.
Lemme explain that-- when Indians first come and order at a fast food joint and the first question is "for-here-or-to-go?"... now if we knew what to expect we probably would respond fast... but its the first time we are hearing that question, at the same time processing what it means.. so there.
Yes, accents do take a little getting used to , buts its the regular phrases and lingo that make for learning to understand and use it better.
Hope I made sense .😛
Edited by ninand - 14 years ago
Hindi TV Shows
Veer Hanuman
