Ser Jacopo Picta Pipes and pronouncing VAN GOGH

[OTooleRules]

So could we sum up and say Americans don't attempt for any of the following: 1. Feel Stupid/ awkward ; 2 Are ignorant; 3 Feel Pretentious; 4. Can't make the sound; and/or, 5. Are willfully ignorant because they feel it's their right to sound American, no matter the origin of the word.

[astroman2112]

Haha great video! Working and living in Thailand, I hear english words massacred all the time! I too cringed on hearing my native language being tongue twisted and tried to correct my friends. This I quickly learned was an exercise in futility. I'm sure my Thai was and still is just as abrasive lol. I think as long as people can communicate thats all that really matters. So did you score your Ser Jacapo?

Cheers,

James

[asianhombre]

@astroman2112 Still looking for the perfect one...

[asianhombre]

@PipeFriendCHS awesome!! Now I can visit Amsterdam...

[PipeFriendCHS]

pretty darn good

[asianhombre]

@PipeFriendCHS I might have to do a video in Spanish now...

[HolySmokeNPipePadre]

"Cut to the desert" great philosophy for life! ;-)

[MrSmokeGuy]

What about the way american ideology views people in other lands and their languages as an explanation for their motivation or unwillingness to learn correct pronunciations. Also Kevin's expanation that languages lack certain letters and sounds fits too.

[asianhombre]

@MrSmokeGuy If you are referring to an ideology where an element of xenophobia effects our willingness to put efforts towards correct pronunciation, then yes I agree. I once heard someone at a restaurant tell their Hispanic waiter, "This is AMERICA and here you need to learn to speak English properly." A little harsh. But I believe the door swings both ways. I want efforts put forth from both parties. Kevin's point is valid as well. Also Language Attrition is something feared by many people.

[KevinPare]

Enjoying your videos. I'm an American with a degree in linguistics. I try to pronounce words (especially names) the way the sound in their native language though I avoid this when it would sound pretentious. However, no one should be expected to make sounds that are not in their native language when speaking in that language. The effort is appreciated, but I won't roll my eyes at someone who calls me 'Kebin' because their L1 lacks /v/. Still it's always Ser Yakabo and Il Chepo for me.

[asianhombre]

@KevinPare In Japan once, I met a girl from the UK named Holly, who was never able to get people to understand how to pronounce her name. Always sounded like "Whore-y". So she started using her American nickname "H" but unfortunately the Japanese pronunciation of "H" is "ECCHI"; a word which has connotations of perversion and erotic implications.

There was just no winning for Holly.

My Japanese cousin's favorite American song was, "Fry Me to the Moon".