Tips for Americans to understand the Indian accent better

[abdullah981]

Further our d's and t's are very strong involving applying pressure on the palate with the tongue and it's almost impossible to stop doing that as we pronounce english the way we pronounce these sounds in urdu/hindi. This video is very helpful. Kudos for making this effort.

[abdullah981]

I'm a pakistani now living in the US and never really knew how my pronunciation was very different from that of an american. The c/k/q, t, p sounds involve aspiration which is different fron urdu/hindi. This is easier for me to pick. The v and w is a challenge I still struggle with as they sound very similar to us. We use the two sounds interchangeably. Mostly we use the v sound but every time the v is followed by an o we pronounce it as w such as in voice or vowel.

[cannoir]

@abdullah but the V and W means the same thing actually both are just U.If you speak 2 different european languages you'll notice those differences.S often means Z to the germans.example Sigrid will be pronounced Zee-grit . its because we interpret the alphabet differently.I am French.I always get the E and I confused and I regulary mix up G and J in english.Then I get sidetracked when I try to keep up with the english accent.I gave up trying.I keep my thick Frenchy accent.

[n4nickson]

Americans must be able to understand Indian accent ,we Indians do understand their accent,,den wtf is their problem..???????????????

[swtest1]

Hi, sbh02:

I wanted to let you know how helpful your video was to me. I am going to be working at a new job that entails heavy interfacing with an off-shore Indian software testing. I have had a hard time understanding the people so far, some more than others, and I think they have a hard time understanding me (long silences and additional requests for me to repeat). I appreciate your making this video and hope that you will continue taping more lessons and pronunciation examples.

[smegweevil]

This was useful. I have some students who speak to Indians on the telephone and have a lot of trouble understanding what is being said. I will pass on some of your tips. Thanks!

[devthakurdev]

Thanks brother it is also helpful for Indian to know the right prununciation. you have really done good job.

[xwolfbbyx]

I have a friend thats in India and I was always afriad I wouldn't understand him. But, I think this helped a lot. Thank you. :)

[efijasmine]

hey this is helpful. So what with Indian? Every part of the world has different accent, this is unique, so respect it.

GOOD JOB for sbh02 :)

[immissworld76]

So helpful! this is great and very insigntful. you are also extremely polite and sweet.

[MrElmoussa]

fuck indians

[pabby74]

@MrElmoussa LOL...isn't that exactly what Indians did to your job?

[cfei12]

UR MOTHERFUCKING INDIAN.............

[dibzus1212]

@cfei12. So this makes u a motherfuckin faggot....

[cfei12]

@dibzus1212 U MOTHERFUCKING RETARD

[dibzus1212]

@cfei12 Oh come on, i dint ask ur name...Did I...???

[cfei12]

@cfei12 WHO START

[cfei12]

@dibzus1212 did i ask u ur identification then why u send me that 1st

[dibzus1212]

@cfei12 Ok Stop it....over.

[liberiason]

How about I say paint and they say PAYNT

[urdouchbag]

its actually awesome!

[penguinb4u]

i am an indian..okay, but not very good imitation.

americans aspire the beginning t as opposed to t in the middle in lets say top/stop..indians often dont aspire the t sound..a native indian wud never mix up a t and a d, as the videographer did..

similarly, no indian wud ever mix up k with g, p with b [voiced vs voiceless]..these are very distinct sounds in indian languages.

[penguinb4u]

@penguinb4u

and, indians of certain region might mix up w, v and/or b..but this is not homogenous.

[penguinb4u]

i forgot to mention...

top/stop...

t is aspired in top..not aspired in stop...a typical indian accent wud be non aspired t for top..for example, try to pronounce stop with s missing in the beginning, but dont aspire..it would make an indian accent..indians do not mix t sound with d sound..t and d are very distinct in indian languages.

[anikjony]

pennatula25-what do you mean by "happens to be bengali "?could you pls explain this to me...

[1958boomergirl]

I get it now! The Indian people pronounce "c" and "k" as "g", and the "t" as "d". And they also say "v" when they mean "w". They also pronounce "a" the way Britishers do. I'm so thankful for this video that I'm going to subscribe to this channel. Kudos, kudos, kudos to sbh02!! What a fine young man! He should think about working as a UN diplomat someday soon.

[penguinb4u]

@1958boomergirl

i am an indian and i beg to differ. i appreciate the attempt he's made to help others but often he mixed up sounds coz indian phonetics is foreign to him.

americans aspirate the sounds like k, t, p etc when it appears in the beginning of a word, but often do not aspire when they come in the middle.

example

sound t in - top vs stop

the first t is aspirated (th), second one is not.

these two are different sounds, although they are wrtten the same..

[cybergirl87]

I always see lots of videos on teaching asians how americans speak, this is the first video i've seen that explains to americans how indian people sound and make their life easy as most of the time they run into indians as most of the tech support is in india now.

[DeepestBlueJ]

I think I masturbated to much, I cant see things clear!

[samester123]

finally someone sensible..

[shaolongz]

But need to classify that not most of the Asian speak in that way.

[shaolongz]

Good Job Man

[saywow2002]

Very good video...

[Bubbadumdum]

THANKS man!!! I'm the best man in a wedding in Goa in 6 days and I'm more than a little worried about understanding everyone (I'm American). This can only help. Thanks again!

[Bubbadumdum]

THANKS man!!! I'm the best man in a wedding in 6 days and I'm more than a little worried about understanding everyone (I'm American). This can only help. Thanks again!

[purespirit9]

Thanks for making your point, English speaking people should learn to speak Indian and see what it's like to have an accent....just want to add; all languages are unique no matter what part of the world it's coming from....people should look at it that way. not make fun or laugh about it.

[mabood1212]

The problem is for English speaking people is that Indians seemingly make no effort whatsoever to imitate our sounds, cadence, rhythm, speed etc when speaking English. Its like Indian people just extended their Hindi vocabulary and feel that they can speak English exactly like they speak Hindi. Is this Indian arrogance, ignorance, or poor instruction? I don't know and don't really care. Newsflash: native English speaking people don't adjust to you, you must do better with our language.

[debonair021]

@mabood1212

i see your point....but a lot of "western" expats living in china dont speak proper chinese either.....their pronunciation is way off but some of them get close from what i hear from my chinese friends...whether its indians, americans, or chinese only a few really make the effort to connect with locals..i try to speak the best american i can....so dont be knockin down on all indians..

ps: sbh02, i got the difference between v's and w's only after coming to the US......

[debonair021]

@debonair021

I pronounce v's and w's correctly now but still have a problem with the word "vowel". I have to be really slow to get it right......LOL

[mabood1212]

@debonair021 Yeah, its really the burden on the one learning to try their very best to approximate the sounds, speed, etc of the language that they are learning. And you are right - its not all Indians. I was just making a generalization based on experience when communicating with people from different countries. Not everyone will be able to get all our sounds that are not present in their own language - but everyone can slow down and make a better effort.  I try this when learning French.

[venkirecw18]

Thats a very good attempt. It helps not only Americans but also indians to learn the differences between these two accents. These the exact tips I got from a friend of mine - may be like an year after I came to the US. But then, till that moment, I had really tough time conveying what I was trying to, especially when the words involved al lthe alphabets that were discussed in this video.

And I truly appreciate the "no-offense meant" point you stressed on buddy. Great video !

Venki

[anikjony]

hey you little junkie...don say that Asian people use the Indian English...its a bull shit..okss...byeee you junkie...

[BRUCEkbg]

good video =D

[tirthadutt]

shabash bhai good try!!

[pennatula25]

bengalis are indians too.. i guess u meant bangladeshi

[anikjony]

hey another junkie...do not say again that Bangladeshis are Indian ..indian are indian..and bangladeshi are bangladeshi...oksssssss.....ne­ver ever say that..or i will f*** you in front of a indian.....

[sbh02]

@anikjony I said Bengali people. People from West Bengal are Bengali. You know where Calcutta is b*tch? Do you know they speak Bengali, and are Bengali too? Don't open your mouth if you don't understand something...

[anikjony]

bro they are bangali..but they are indian bangali....people from uk and usa ,both use english...but they both are not british or american,,may be you understand what i am trying to say...so shut the fuck of and dont say anything eles.....

[funkymulgi78]

@anikjony

Its funny that you are making an issue of this...

FYI, you were part of India just ~50 years back and guess what India saved your ass from Pakistan in 70s...

I dont understand this hostile attitude of Bangladeshis... We Indians still consider you our friends and not foes.

[pennatula25]

@anikjony did i ever say that ! bengali and bangladeshi are two different things.

bengalis are people whose mother tongue is bengali which is a language and bangladeshis are people who are citizens of bangladesh a country whose official language happens to be bengali doesn't make them bengalis.

[yasiths]

Dude Asia has so many different accents, what are you talking about?

[frienffrever]

Thanks man. Its really good. As an indian it also helped to understand the difference.

[anikjony]

nice ..may be you don;t understand the difference between a dog and a indian..don worry..i will tell your indian friend to make another video for you...oks...

[coolsidshan4u]

@anikjony o shut up u bengladeshi dog

[MixtapeM2]

Your a douche ...

[90abcde]

Shut the fuck up I know your not making fun but you are still doing it. Blurry camera and a boring voice

[MixtapeM2]

@90abcde I know right this dude is a tool NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR VIDEO DOUCHE

[Sharada123456]

Thank you so much for posting this video...it's really helpful!

[YvetteV19]

Indians should reduce their accent in English...lol

[MixtapeM2]

@YvetteV19 fuck you

[YvetteV19]

@YvetteV19 glad u can take constructive criticism 

[gog3tass4]

@YvetteV19 But Why should we ????

[dead235]

nigger

[PrincessKittyChan]

THANK YOU!  I'm trying to learn how to do an Indian accent without offending anyone, and this was very helpful.

[zombie6133]

@shazycalm u dumb ass indien

[raddddeww]

@shazycalm im indian and im sorry but you are one racist bastard, get over it jackass for all you know he could be your cousin retard grow up

[jjbeta77]

I'm an English teacher and a Chinese student asked me for advice on how to better understand the Indian accent. Your video is very helpful. Thanks!

[justintabib]

This is quite interesting. Having been and mixing with both sides heavily, I hope this video is actually useful for many. I wish there are similar vdos to make us understand some types of British accents, like the ones up north in scotland and all.

[Stan1eyTech]

this one is really helpful

[bubusx]

Hahaha, ty, this video helped me a lot, i talk every days with indians, due my work, and at the begginig was so difficult to understand them, i dunno, that tha americans had issues also hehe, btw im mexican =p

[mmsbludhound]

Nice video. I'm having trouble understanding the Indian accent too, sometimes to the point where I give up trying to interact with them. Note that I'm not American, so this video very much applies to Singaporeans too.

Oh yeah, Indians tend to roll their tongues too when they pronounce 'R', don't they?

[TotalKaosE]

Also, doesn't much of it stem of their original dialect? I know each city pretty much has their own language in India, and like with Chinese there are letters that we have that don't exist in their language. So like you were saying about the V and W, (like German) the W doesn't really exist in their language.

[TotalKaosE]

I've worked w/ a few indian pharmacist, and you can really tell that their accents vary depending on where they come from, regardless of how long they've been here. I could be that some of them try to pronounce things more closely to the people they're always around, more "americanize" their speech, but it still shows.

I like the video though. The indian accent is really cool, I like it. Good job trying to disect it! 5tits!

[ikarlie3]

We shoudent be making fun cause we also have a accendt

[k0n14k]

dude. fun is fun! ;)

[sammynath]

Good Job bro !! really appreciate the effort to show the difference in pronunciation. Otherwise, most people are just here to mock on Indian accent!!!

[jan7099]

nice to show some concern by taking the effort to explain, good job

[nikred]

I was talking about, how there is nothing like a neutral accent. Any keen hearing outsider can identify your nationality even if you think you have a neutral accent. Now I don't find any personal vendetta in that.

My comment was about accents. Why you think its a personal attack is beyond my understanding.

[ranjan2]

Well, the Americans, Aussies, Canadian, NZers and British very much have the right to choose their own "neutral accent", different from Received Pronunciation, but my point is wrt we the Indians. We don;t have this right because we are not native speakers of English. Just like you have a problem with fellow Indians, I too have a problem with fellow Indians who take "pride" in their horrible Eng accent; and I know it's all because Indians are obsessed with English language.

[nikred]

All I can say is you need to have a better understanding about history of languages and their evolution. Until then there is no point in discussing with you.

[nikred]

Can sbh02 please reply to me why my comment was anyway offensive. I have no problem with your video and appreciate it.

But I do have problem with fellow Indians who take shame in their accents and start accusing them.

[Shaitan051]

Hate to agree with "ignorant" americans but the americans aren't the problem why should they have to learn how to understand the accent better rather the the speaker working on his/her pronunciation? If spoke hindi/urdu/etc with an unintelligible american accent is it it the fault of the person I'm talking to? Of course not. I see this all the time back home (though it's "engrish" in that case)

[cannoir]

dude are you south asian for real I actually thought you were at least part black.

[talibe123]

Very good explanation guy ! I wanna improve my ability in differents English Accents comprehension and your video is very useful.Congratulations!

[holasalutkonnichiwa]

ohh well personally i love the indian accent

yeahh it's funny but in a cute way hehe :P

[rockyfree2rhyme]

if indians go to america , for god sake dont use the indian accent.... i hate the indian accent... its damn funny and irritating!!!! i work in IT in india and i cant stand the way these guys speak!!! i d loose my neutral accent if i stay here...

[nikred]

There is nothing like a neutral accent. Every person of a particular region finds his accent as neutral. For example for internet americans pronounce it as innernet when in actuality the T has to be pronounced.

[cannoir]

it all boils down to the interpretation of the latin script.the german pronounce W=V and V=F while S=Z when you put in a sentence.but this of course taints their english accent..

the word internet in germany they would emphasize on the N and the last T. it'll sound Inn-tah- net

[ranjan2]

No, neutral accent or standard accent is the accent in which the News is read in that country. It is not personal view.

[nikred]

If an Indian watches Fox news he will still say that it is an american accent. It might be a little toned down but its an accent nevertheless.

Even I have a very toned down Indian accent. The reason is I started speaking english at an early age and my native language did not influence it. But still its an Indian accent nevertheless.

[ranjan2]

Yes, on Fox news, it is still an accent but it has a proper term for it: General American, and it is considered neutral accent in the United States. Indian view, whatever it is, does not count because Indians are not native speakers of English.

[ranjan2]

True, I am myself Indian, but I find Indian English accent very horrible. Indians should better learn proper use of language including phonology.

[asyluminhouse]

Great Job !! .. Very Informative !!

[z4wind]

Your video is indeed a great help. I really appreciate it. Keep up the good work!

[1chandramanishukla]

A really nice job dude!, I've never been to the us, but from what i see in movies n tv serials, its pretty clear that u have done an almost perfect description of the differences in the way we speak !, I really look forward to some videos helping students like me to adapt an international accent..................... u rock !.......

[SiliconBong]

No offence intended;

Why does the info say the letters ["c", "k", "p", "q" and "t"] are vowels.

They're consonants.

[sagoorbest]

hahhaha so true i am indian immigrant in us and yea it is true , really true dude

btw i have developed my accent to american accent but i can very well imagine and that i used to say everything like the way u explained (when i was in india)

[michaelimk23]

oh man your accent is clear....I have hard time understanding some regional americans accents

[lakepin10]

this is great, you rock man

[dhruvpatel0909]

good effort. thanx

[valwood46]

this is very well done! I have an Asian friend that I sometimes have trouble understanding and this gives me some ways to train my ears.

[gemi619]

hey............. dammy not whole Asian just say damn indian accent

[Drockhere]

Nice video! What you discussed here is sooo true.....but kinda funny too...haha. I like the "kelly" part. haha

[Shokara2]

Well, as an American who is very familiar with Indian accents (my fiance is Indian as are most of my friends) I can say this, for the most part you are right, however I should point out: not all areas of India *OR* the US sound the same! For example here in the PNW area of the US we don't day 'water' it comes out more like 'wahdur'. Every area has its own accent, not just a country. For example my Fiance and my godfather live less than 200 km apart but their accents are totally different.

[cuba002]

thanks for the video, finally find something useful here, other things just ppl making fun of indian accent, great job, thank u very much:) I wish I can understand my indian friend now

[hharish21]

Good Job.Very informative.Plz Post more videos.