8.+VARIETIES+OF+ENGLISH

** This page will be open till Sunday, 3rd June. Please, edit the page and start participating. Be creative and innovative, OK? ** I. A. Let's start with a video called "Rude Americans - Do you speak English?media type="youtube" key="0tyzG_ZKVfU" width="339" height="280"  What's the message the video is trying to convey=?  You're right, Mariana!! Your final joke was very funny and true at the same time... AhAhAh To me, this is a comment on how Americans often expect us to speak English when we're in the US and for us to know English when they're in our country. And it's also a comment on how some Americans think that what they speak is the "real English". Marta Ferreira
 * 8. VARIETIES OF ENGLISH **
 * The message that the video is trying to convey is that American people "pretend" they can't understand English people, what is really strange, because the only thing that changes is the accent. Of course that the video was kind of exaggerated, but I do not doubt that it is more or less like that what happens. Here in Portugal we have a similar situation with people from Madeira and Açores (the only difference is that, sometimes, we can't really understand what they say xD)** Mariana Mercatelli

Funny video. It shows that Americans are clearly rivals with the English people and the language is very diverse in terms of accents. Of course there are the ones which are awful and completely understandable like scotish or the ones who sound fancy like British English. Rita Pinto

This video shows how Americans wanrt us to talk their language. I think they've never accepted the 'british accent' and they are constantly making jokes around this situation. I don't agree with what they've been doing through this whole time, Everyone has the right to have its own accent. Mariana Ferreira

This video criticises the American stubbornness when they are forced to communicate with someone else who doesn’t speak English at all, or with someone that speaks English with accent. What they showed us is that they do not make an effort to understand the others, even though the language is the same. I would compare them with the Spanish. We do understand them, although they can’t really understand us. And the language is not that different, it’s just a question of stubbornness. In my view, they may think our duty is to understand them. Tiago Your comments are really very good:)) I would just like to stress out Tiago's reference to the Spaniards. They really get on my nerves!!! Americans are very often portrayed as people who can't really learn any language besides their own, and I guess that they can't even understand any English language accent besides the American accents. This idea is a bit exaggerated because, even though most of them only know the English language, they understand lost of accents, we have plenty of examples right here in Portugal, from time to time some reporter who can barely speak English goes to Algarve to interview turists, and most of the Americans they interview can understand what the reporter is saying instantly, so I guess the video is indeed exaggerating a bit. Telmo You're so right Telmo and others when you mention the situation is exaggerated. But that's the point, isn't it? I couldn’t agree more with what you guys have said. This video shows essentially the rivalry among British and Americans like Rita said. Although this is a comedy clip, it portrays the reality. I saw some comments on youtube in relation to this video which confirm that. __**André Néri**__

This video, as Rita and Néri said, shows us the rivalry between the UK, from where the original English belongs, and the USA, as our war with the Brazilians for the agreement spelling. Both the Americans such as the Spanish people are too nationalistic and patriotic, and argue that only their own language must be spoken , and do not accept another language or accent different from theirs. Margarida Aguiar TOLERATION is needed, isn't it? Even when we deal with languages...

This video looks like a little bit exaggerated and unrealistic. How can Americans disrespect those who speak the native English language? It’s a complete joke and I have never seen something like that. It’s ironic but it shows how different languages are even in the same country, imagine all around the globe. As English is the most world widely spoken language, English/American people expect us to speak it; so they don’t need to learn other language; we on the contrary have to learn theirs even to communicate with them in our own country. That is rude. They need to respect the others and be opened to accents and new languages because language is culture and carries a lot of story behind. Carolina Cunha 12ºE

He's attitude is kind of annoying and irritating. Everytime we go to another country and need to speak english or other language, when people realise that we're portuguese, they start speaking slower and treating us like idiots.. Emilia Mota

The video represents not only the rivality between Americans and British but it is also a critic to those who doesn't even make an effort to understand what other people are trying to say. Per example, when we listen a person from our own country with a different slang/accent we sometimes don't give a damn to what they are saying, which is even more ridiculous. Teresa Silva

The British are known for being picky in terms of accent, almost arrogant as if their pronounciation was the only one. In way, besides being funny the video is also a criticism. Rita Rebelo

This video obviously exagerates a lot in relation in how americans see other people talking english. Of course each country has its own pronunciation and their own "words" but yes sometimes americans overreact and they can be rude. They should try to be more comprehensive and learn to respect the others who speak their language.

Filipe Borges

First of i think this is a bit exaggerated, but still is somewhat true. The American and British situation is nearly the same, since both already speak english as their 1st language they aren't adapted to other ways of speaking, just their own, and then Americans might be even worse, because America is a really developed nation, so they kind of already go around thinking they practically run the world, and that affects communication a lot, it's like "since i'm an American and so important, i don't need to bother to understand others, the others need to understand me". it's a feeling of superiority, it isn't good, but well, the world has already learned how to cope with it. ** Diogo Pinto **

That one was a delicious video. I laughed a lot ! The fact that they went on streets and do some scenes that deserver to be in english apanhados made me pay more attention to the video. We can see that there were, maybe, some differences on the two accents.. But, nothing that couldn't be understood. I think it was a good idea for the show to mock americans and their way of thinking. Sometimes, maybe, they're just too stubbern and dont want to hear anything that's just a bit different from their native language. And, the cherry on top of the cake : the second actor. He did an amazing job. That part just pushed the critique to his bottom turning it into an hilarious way of approaching the subject. Mariana Marques

From my point of view our society lacks tolerance specially when dealing with foreigners and their languages and accents. We don´t realise that is this diversity that makes the world a great place to live in and discover new things and differences every day. Our differences make us unique, singular, exclusive in society and it doesn´t matter if we are blue, or if we talk in a funny or in a really annoying way, Respect and Tolerance are crucial to live in harmony. =Pedro 12ºE=

I guess the video’s message is an alert to the way some countries are “closed” when it comes to other cultures and different people. It gets to be ridiculous, sometimes (as the video shows), because people are people everywhere, even if with different habits, or ways of thinking. In this case, the only relevant difference is the accent, and the aim of the exaggerated comic situation is to show the lack of sensibility some countries (some people) have. **Joana Pereira, 12F**

** B. Here are recycled clips of British comedians who use gender differences within their stand-up. View them and state your opinion on them. If you're a man, I'm sure you're going to like it. If you're a woman, make sure you laugh too to show you've got an extraordinary sense of humour :P ** media type="youtube" key="mEhui14AZdU" width="339" height="280" No comments on this one????'

Mrs Ana Maria, are you aware that you've just published a video making fun of women? You should have used your speacial powers to guess my thoughts during the past three years then. ahahahah Nuno Bico

Oh, I liked it very much. It's funny to see the way men comedians make fun of women. However, I must say to the men that we do have special powers :P Teresa Silva

I must agree with Teresa, we do have special powers :D It's more than proved and undeniable that men can't live without us and can't live without them. We complement each other and mocking our flaws is part of this dinamic between men and women. Emilia Mota

It's funny and it's true. I particulary like the last sketch, although the men didn't find it funny when he stated "Women are better than men in everything";p Rita Rebelo

They all seem great except the 4th, it's a bit hard to understand. They are all making jokes on the expense of women but it isn't to offend them, it's just to laugh, because it's all, in a certain way, true. They do think a lot about they're feet, and for some reason they always think they know what everyone else is thinking...still men are just the same, the only difference is that we always think in another part of the body a bit above. ** Diogo Pinto **

Great comedians, now I know why women have the need to have so many pairs of shoes. Telmo

I'm perfectly aware of the women's power and abalities. However, seeing all the clips I really laughed a lot ! There were some jokes, that, I'm gonna admit, I didn't understand. But others were just perfect. The one about the handbag. I don't usually carry an handbag, and so, I ask my girlfriends to keep my phone, house keys and money on their bags. At the middle of the night, it is so damn difficult to find those little thing in a little handbag. I totally agree with the comediant, it's like i'm searching in a deep deep tunel, where I see no light and there's plenty of obstacles to keep me from finding my things x) I also liked that oxymoron regarding women's and men's best friend. Again a way of mocking stereotype girls. Also, the one about buying shoes to be on the shopping centre, to buy some new shoes. Another addiction of the stereotype girls. We, womwn, laugh, because we know that, though we can't find ourselves on every characteristic it is mentioned, some we can fit in perfectly and we laugh because we realise some are really ridiculous . Mariana Marques

I liked this clip, it's quite funny. (: Men letting us know their frustrations about women (and... the admiration they feel for us). They can’t live without us!! They used well-known streotypes of female behaviour, but of course that these don't apply to every woman. And the idea was to exaggerate the situations, in a way of turning them into something that will make the audience laugh. **Joana Pereira, 12F**

** C. Let's watch "Do you have a flag?" by Eddie Izzard and "The Scotsman" by Robin Willliams. What's the message they're trying to convey? Do you agree with Bobin Williams' view? Which video do you like best? Why? ** media type="youtube" key="UTduy7Qkvk8" width="339" height="280"media type="youtube" key="u9oKdUFCoVo" width="339" height="280" Are these ones too difficult to understand?

Sometimes is difficult to understand. I didn't don't this side of Robin Williams, he's pretty funny! The joke about golf is really smart and funny, he's hilarious ! I definitly prefer him, he's enphasizes that idea that Scotland and Scottish people are a lot different and have distinct costums and culture. I agree with Robin when he says that they have to be really drunk to wear a kilt ! Emilia Mota

I liked Eddie Izzard best mainly because I understood it, and couldn't get the beginning of Robin William's sketch; I guess one would have to be pretty drunk to get it. There is this stereotype that I don't know how far from the truth it is about scottish people, how they drink a lot and swear in every phrase. "Do you have a flag?" i's one way to see the european conquers, I guess we as the british have imposed our selves in other countries, one the other hand the world would never be as we know it if it wasn´t for that. Rita Rebelo

The Robin William's one is really hard to understand, that's sort of the joke too, not everyone can understand Scottish people, it takes someone special and always a bit drunk. But the first, eddie izzard, it's really funny, again shows the british and american superiority, since they both think they are superior they are the ones who make the rules. ** Diogo Pinto ** I agree with Rita. I like Eddie Izaard's clip because I could almost fully understand it. I don't know if I got it right but some of the critiques he made were related to cheating and incest on the royal family. Then, he also talks about the way the country participated on WWII. First, as they were in the winnig team, they seem to have won, but when you look to the economics, you realise that subject is really bad.. About Robin Williams' sketch, I also agree with Emília. I really liked when he said that thing about being drunk to wear a kilt. It's a completely different custume that we are not used too. And one of my favourite is also when he mocks at the scottish people and the way they react when they miss a ball in golf, he says theys seem to be having a stroke, like they're going to die. Mariana Marques

Fantastic, Robin Williams' performance! Very, very good. I enjoyed it very much. I liked it bettter than the other one, because Williams has got that brilliant acting skill, which allows him to give the audience a much more complete show. He seems to be so spontaneous! The other one is good as well; the content of his jokes is more relevant, actually. **Joana Pereira, 12F**

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 * D. Time to analyse Australian comedians, Adam Hills and Carl Barron. Let's watch "Adam Hills Live At The Apollo" and "Carl Barron - Aussie comedian". Which one is your favourite? Why? **

In my opinion, Carl Barron is the best. He’s really awesome when he does strange noises. In addition, he’s really expressive and his accent is much funnier than Adam Hills'. ** Tiago **

Adam Hills' has some good jokes, specially that one, "Feed the world" and "We are the world", about America. I liked that part in which the audience started to sing and really interact with him. Emilia Mota

The first is very funny and cleaver, specially when he makes the joke about "gay" bands, I never though of it. The one about american names is funny too, I don't think any girl would like too be called "Big Teets" whether it corresponded to the truth or not :p. My favourite one was about "Saving private Ryan", I don't think I would have taken so long too :) Rita Rebelo My favourite one is defiitely the one with Adam Hills. The problem I found in Carl Barron's clip is that he can be a bit slow talking and it just didn't caught my eye. On the other hand, Adam Hills he knew how to conquer an audience.. First, he started by saying he loved americans to an australian audience, just to tease them. I got the idea no one thought it was funny at first x). The joke about the names was delicious. I never thought of it. But then, he starts quoting Hope and Faith, and I think those two names weren't chosen randomly. I say this because of the tv series Hope and Faith and perfectly fits his idea. They are two sisters and they've got that name because of their parents, and their personalities are completely different form the names they represent ! The joke about the diabetic woman called candy just took the whole joke to another level. He mocked at the subject to its limit and he managed to do it so wisely ! And, about getting the attention from the audience.. Making them sing is always a good move. However, the thing is .. He didn't asked for them to sing, they sang because they thought it was really funny - adam's reaction. Just another one among many I thought were hilarious.. The one about the two songs To feed the world And We are the world, simpy to make fun at the gigantic numbers of obesity in America. I truly believe Adam Hills is a brilliant comedian. Mariana Marques

** E. Time to listen to Irish English and view the Irish Comedian Keith Farnan on Michael McIntyres Comedy Roadshow. How wdid you like it? Which details did you like the most? ** media type="youtube" key="_IS7jFNwnjs" width="339" height="280"

I enjoyed it a lot, because Irish is one of the best accents in my opinion. As he mentioned, the accent is why women get attracted. Well, I don’t know if that is true or not, but as they are always quite drunk they must impress by something else, like the accent. I also laugh a lot when he mentioned the Italians, then when he give us a lesson about synchronisation and when he said “Irish don’t often dance, they just sit until they get angry with the floor”, which by the way turns to be their dance. Tiago

He really thus look like a "combination" of Chuck Norris and "a" Bee Gee! He really entertaining, as a woman I must confess I did't know what synchronization and I guess I'm racist, I didn´t the know that was the origins of riverdance,p Rita Rebelo

The guy is really good, very funny...all his jokes are great; and it's really interesting how he made a whole stand up act and was able to vary so much between the same topic, he made jokes concerning culture, color, sex and accent. It was really funny especially that one where he was wrongly booked on a South African night, it cracked me up. ** Diogo Pinto **

One thing I never noticed before that he referred was that irish people are almost like italians, this is kind of true they both speak loudly and a lot, and use gestures while speaking, however irish people seem more violent than italians, after all hooligans mostly live around ireland and the neighbour countries.Keith ios really funny anda good comedian. Telmo

I cimpletely agree with Telmo. I never thought of that too, but irish people can be really similar to italian people.. About the details I liked the most, in this particular sketch, the comedian had a thing that most comedians have and I think.. that's part of their success. They often laugh at themselves.. For instance.. this one starts by comparing himself to Chuck Norris, one of the Bee Gees and the character we all love.. Zach from The Hangover. And in this video, Keith is able to mention a lot of things in just a few sentences.. Amazing job. For instance he goes from italians to australians, mentioning even black people, by giving the vannila ice example. I also agree with Tiago. One of my favourite part of the clip is when the comedian makes fun at the way irish people dance - just a marvellous metaphor. Mariana Marques ** F. Time to listen to an Indian stand up accent comedy. What's your opinion about the video? ** media type="youtube" key="bSXRdr6fBEU" width="425" height="350"

I think it’s a funny video, but I don’t think Russell Peters is that hilarious. Here’s why!! [] Tiago

The brown man is hilarious, loved it. The indian accent is probably the most unsexy of all english accents, but the woman in the crowd sounded very enthusiatic! Rita Rebelo

It's actually really good, there aren't many comedians that joke with the indian accent, so it's something new...and the reason Canadians are like that it's because they're retarded («-- American shows influence) ** Diogo Pinto ** Well, I was going to say the guy was funny.. But after seeing Tiago's video, I hate him now ! Spanish deaf people? It was an horrible imitation.. We don't talk like that at all ! But, now seriousily, I think it is important to underline what Diogo Pinto here just said. I'd never seen an indian guy mocking at his own accent. So, it is really good that indian people now start to do that. We know that by making jokes about a subject, it releases a bit of the tension, and maybe, they don't get mocked so many times. And talking about indian accents, I know Russell Peters did a great job but I gotta stand out our colleague Nuria Paulo. She has done more than once the indian accent because she imitates it perfectly ! And I guess that in roleplays, especially on this last one we end up doing the exact same thing as this comedians but we don't really notice it. Mariana Marques


 * G. Which accent did you like best? State your opinion. Would you suggest a different video? Which one? **

I really like the Australian accent. There's no particular reason, I just like the sound of it. Marta Ferreira

I like Irish accent and Australian with no special reason, they sound really nice. Rita Pinto

As my colleagues I really enjoy the australian one, but it is extremely sexy earing boys talk with british accent :P Mariana Ferreira

My favourite is the afro accent. The same as Gabourey and her mom did in "Precious", sounds fantastic. Another great accent is caribbean! Mainly the jamaican one as it is portrayed in this film: http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F%3Fgl%3DBR%26hl%3Dpt&hl=pt&gl=BR#/watch?v=icy6iKN7jDM. **HENRIQUE DUARTE**

The Irish accent is definitly the one I like the most. Even though sometimes I do not understand them, the way Irish people speak is music to my ears! Guilherme Cerveira

Although I speak with American accent, I think the best is definitely the British. André Néri

The way Australian accent sounds is really funny, I think it’s the best one, but as Mariana said, a British boy speaking is always sexy and irresistible! :D I think all the girls share this opinion. Margarida Aguiar

In my opinion, I’ve always admired the royal accent. I’ve always imagined speaking with british accent. Irish is also the ones that I most enjoy to hear. Tiago

I have to put one of my favourite singer: Beyonce, 'm sure that only Octávio will like it :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkXIulLE75Q Rita Rebelo

Irish is one of my favourite accents, also I like the british accent because it instantly makes a person seem very sympathetic and cult, one accent that you didn't feature here and that is really interesting to hear is the accent who live in the southern USA ( the redneck accent). Telmo

I'm mostly divided between irish accent and making fun of the british one. The videos were all really well chosen, but I have to show you a clip of one of my favourite tv series - Modern family. Of course that if we're talking about accents, it's gotta be about Gloria.. Take a look, PLEASE [] Mariana Marques

The only accent missing, and ,unfortunatly, I think it is not documented, is the one that Braz makes when imitating Pipa... That one would give a great stand up show. Diogo Silva


 * II. Time to refer to some films where some accents make all the difference. Feel free to make your contribution:))) THANKS.... **


 * I'm not keen on movies, but if I'm not wrong Chocolate has different accents... (I'm not sure!! and probably making a mistake, but I tried :) ) Mariana Ferreira **

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F%3Fgl%3DBR%26hl%3Dpt&hl=pt&gl=BR#/watch?v=WH2CABcffAo. HENRIQUE DUARTE
 * I know this is not the type of film teacher is looking for, but I like this accent a lot: kasaquistan! We can listen it in Borat!!**

"The Godfather", Jackie Chan's movies ( :D ), "Terminator", "Don't mess with the Zohan". These are the ones that come to my mind right now, all having different accents. Guilherme Cerveira

Some movies have been mentioned but I remembered that the series "Lost" had some characters from different accents and from different countries, like Sayid (Iraq), Sun and Jin (Korea), Desmond (Scottland), Charlie (England), Claire (Australia), Rousseau (France) ... It was a great example of a melting pot, multiculturalism. Emilia Mota

Any film by Sacha Baron Cohen has a great leading character with a funny accent, films about the moob never leave that italian-american pronounciation. The sleepers or The Terminal are just two films I like and that approch this theme. Rita Rebelo

I liked the most italian accent. But there was some sort of accent you have forgotten to mention... afro-american accent which is just tops, therefore i can suggest you the movie 'Black Dynamite'- Nuno Branco

I've found another film 'Letters to Juliet' it's about mixing the italian accent with the english. and in 'Don't mess with Zohan' there is asian english accent too :) Mariana Ferreira

[] it's a huge film, with great interpretations, and it has different accents that are incredible. Bernardo Teixeira

Singing in the Rain. It is a story which envolves film producers and actors, and there is a very hillariant part in which they deal with the diction teacher. It is wonderful, in my point of view, you definitely have to watch it. **Joana Pereira, 12F**

Every movie where actors like Chris Rock or Martin Lawrence appear, besides being a great motive to laugh, are a great description of the afro american way of speaking and seeing things, for sure. Diogo Silva