Help with International Accents, Page 2
- Introduction and Short Answer.
- Ask them to speak more slowly.
- Use online accent resources: Single-word sites, and Intro to Story Reading Sites
- Using online accent resources: IDEA
- Using online accent resources: The Speech Accent Archive
- Using online accent resources: Map Your Voice
- COMING SOON: Use general media.
- COMING SOON: Use your clients as a learning resource.
- COMING SOON: MAYBE practice copying their accent.
- COMING SOON: Ask them to spell it out.
- COMING SOON: Don't lie! Don't pretend!
- COMING SOON: Final advice. List of useful links. Comments.
Ask them to speak slowly
The first step is to ask the speaker to speak more slowly.
Don't be embarrassed to ask the client to speak more slowly. You're doing it so that you can understand them.
Understanding the client will help everyone, including the client, to achieve their goals.
Don't be embarrassed to ask the client to speak more slowly. You're doing it so that you can understand them.
Understanding the client will help everyone, including the client, to achieve their goals.
But do it politely, diplomatically; so the client doesn't get angry. Don't say:
Say something that shows you respect the client AND want to help them achieve their goals. An example:
Another example from a great article on this topic:
- Wow! Your accent is so strong, I can't understand anything you say!!!
Say something that shows you respect the client AND want to help them achieve their goals. An example:
- I'm sorry, I didn't completely understand. Could you speak more slowly? I want to make sure I understand clearly everything you say.
Another example from a great article on this topic:
- I apologize. I am having a little difficulty understanding you. If you could slow down, just a little bit, I’ll be able to get it all correct for you.
Here's the article:
Friedman says of her example sentence: "It apologizes, acknowledges, empathizes, and creates credibility. It shows you want to help."
Friedman says of her example sentence: "It apologizes, acknowledges, empathizes, and creates credibility. It shows you want to help."
Next I'll discuss some getting to know international accents and some online accent resources.