Listening

[JPablo]

Yes, I was serious...
I.e., I was not putting them as the archetype of diction and eloquence, but something that can be followed, the same way I can follow an Indian speaker or a German for that matter...
If we do a thread on "correct" English and/or people to imitate, that'll be another subject entirely...

America and planet Earth has many "English" accents and (bad) pronunciations, etc., but one has to practice to understand any of those...

The "exercise" of this thread (as I understood it) is to be able to "listen" / "understand" what the 733H are they saying...

If we have a thread on "how to speak"... well... let's do one thread for American, and one for British... (and one for Australian and another for Texan...)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Yes, I was serious...
I.e., I was not putting them as the archetype of diction and eloquence, but something that can be followed,

Ah ok, that's a relief. I thought you were presenting them as examples to be followed. I found her impossible to understand. In fact, I felt myself getting angry because she couldn't be bothered to open her mouth, so I'm not going to be bothered to try and understand.

[JPablo]

Yeah... "a tu aire, hombre... a tu aire"

I've sometimes had quite a hard time to understand a "standard" American accent... and it is interesting to be able to understand someone who is stressed out and "trying to be clear"... I guess it all depends on the context and what you want to achieve...

For a Police Officer working with some specific type of people, his/her ability to listen and understand what some people are talking about may be very useful... specially when the 'standard' they are using is "sub-standard" or let's say "a different" standard...

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Ah ok, that's a relief. I thought you were presenting them as examples to be followed. I found her impossible to understand. In fact, I felt myself getting angry because she couldn't be bothered to open her mouth, so I'm not going to be bothered to try and understand.

Although I understand your position on this, unfortunately for the rest of the people, the mere mortal has to deal with precisely the kind of people you don't like.

Now, what can an English leaner do when faced with that situation? Follow your advice and turn around and not be bothered?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Perikles: I'm with you there... That's certainly very uncomfortable to hear... it's not only the voices, but also the bad quality of the recording.

But I'm also with Chileno on what he's just said: my life at the university would have been much easier if my "asesor de tesis" would have spoken a little more clearly.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

@Perikles: I'm with you there... That's certainly very uncomfortable to hear... it's not only the voices, but also the bad quality of the recording.

But I'm also with Chileno on what he's just said: my life at the university would have been much easier if my "asesor de tesis" would have spoken a little more clearly.

I'm glad I'm not alone, and yes, Chileno is quite right, sometimes you do not have the freedom not to bother listening.

[Perikles]

More listening practice - this time, short and easy.

[CrOtALiTo]

I can't understand them.

They are from U.S.A or Canadian people.
At least they speak very fast.

[laepelba]

She is basically asking the couple what they want to do with the money that they've won....

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by laepelba

She is basically asking the couple what they want to do with the money that they've won....

Ok.

Thank you for the information.

[ChilenoAlemanCanada]

Hello!

I was watching this video and figured it would be good for listening practice for our Spanish native users.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Sarcasm and irony very clearly explained... I'm glad he used a song I never liked.

Love it, thanks for sharing! =)