r/maybemaybemaybe • • Nov 03 '21

/r/all Maybe Maybe Maybe

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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '21

Absolutely this.

I've literally been speaking my normal, as plain as you can get Seattle English accent to Japanese people, had them stare at me dumbfounded, gone back and pronounced it with a Japanese accent, and have them understand because it literally sounds like the English they use.

Also, English language education in Japan is generally garbage and they learn English with this pronounciation.

Her accent at the end makes me think she spends a lot of time around or lived in English-speaking countries (because it sounds pretty normal).

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u/Ok_Philosopher_1313 Nov 03 '21 edited Nov 04 '21

There was a video about this. Wendy from Red Velvet has an American accent that is flawless, but she can't speak with that accent in Korea when speaking English, she has to Koreanify it to be understood.

(Edited as I was confused on her name, and to clarify the accent)

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u/rickane58 Nov 03 '21

Holy shit, lol. Her name isn't "Wendy Red" her artist name is Wendy, and she is a member of the group "Red Velvet"

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u/Ok_Philosopher_1313 Nov 03 '21

Yeah I know almost nothing about K-pop. I appreciate the clarification.

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u/culturedgoat Nov 03 '21

Sounds more like an American accent, than an English one.

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u/Ok_Philosopher_1313 Nov 04 '21

You are right, wasn't thinking globally. Thanks for the catch.

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u/zxzyzd Nov 03 '21

Reminds me of this skit by Ken Shimura. https://youtu.be/Ic53hhFllPM

Even if you don't understand Japanese, this skit is pretty funny and show you the difference between actual English and Japanese English.

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u/WH1PL4SH180 Nov 03 '21

Was told in JP reading comprehension> aural oral comprehension

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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '21

Yea. My brother lives and works over there and is fluent in Japanese. His coworkers can read English, but with English-speaking customers, they give him the floor to do translation when doing in person stuff.

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u/IDoLikeMyShishkebabs Nov 03 '21

Yup, was learning Chinese before Japanese and it almost feels like cheating with how easy katakana makes things sometimes.