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What does English sound like?
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PostPosted: Wed 13 Feb 2013 1:17 pm 
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I couldn't see that any of the other topics would've been any better, so I'll post it here:

What does English sound like to those whose first language isn't English? Because I've often wondered. So if anyone cares to comment I'd be much gratified!

:ugeek:

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Doest ðoú knöwest ðys, or æm y havfyng to ecspläyn yt for ðee? Bäsycally hwat y æm doing hier ys wonderyng hoẅ one could make yt easyer to learn Ynglysh but awlsö keep yt æt least relætyvfly æsþetycly pleasyng... hwat doest ðoú þynk ovf ðys?


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Re: What does English sound like?
PostPosted: Thu 09 May 2013 8:20 pm 
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I heard once it sounds like hissing... ;) But as a native speaker, I think it probably sounds like Dutch or Swedish, because often when I hear those languages I feel like I should be understanding it. Or for a few seconds I think it's English. Otherwise, it might sound a little like Albanian because of the similar phonologies, even though I think the rhythm is different.

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наверное мне место на луне, но страшно оставаться в темноте...
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Native:English
Proficient: deutsch, schwiizerdütsch, русский язык
Understand a little: français, español, italiano, cymraeg, 한국, and more


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Re: What does English sound like?
PostPosted: Fri 10 May 2013 9:45 pm 
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Aye, I'd heard that as well; also that is apparently sounds like a "babbling brook" (aw, isn't that nice!?). I'll try listening to Dutch or Swedish and see what I think, thanks.

I've looked up about Albanian, and you're right, I've never known a language to have such a similar phonology to ours! Even Scots is very different, though it is largely mutually inteligible with English.

I think the late Stanley Unwin gives a very good inpression of what English sounds like to maybe a German or Dutchman with his "Unwinese", and I've found it quite helpful myself.

:ugeek:

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Doest ðoú knöwest ðys, or æm y havfyng to ecspläyn yt for ðee? Bäsycally hwat y æm doing hier ys wonderyng hoẅ one could make yt easyer to learn Ynglysh but awlsö keep yt æt least relætyvfly æsþetycly pleasyng... hwat doest ðoú þynk ovf ðys?


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