Comments on: The way we talk

By: Alle Malice

Alle Malice — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:53:32 +0000

I’ve observed the opposite, actually. I’m Australian and the one thing that people always say as soon as they meet me is that they’re going to start picking up my accent. It has never, ever happened, though some people have totally faked it to try to impress me. (It doesn’t.)

My friends and I, even now, have our own little patois…it’s funny to see how people are picking up on it, even through a medium like Facebook. Goofy spellings and code words…I guess were all still ten when you get down to it.

Just found your blog, loving it!

By: Rabbit White

Rabbit White — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:36:52 +0000

Samantha,
Great point. I think body language is totally key in this as well, it is a huge part in how we talk and communicate.
I think we shouldn’t feel embarrassed, after all it is kind of sweet that someone would be paying such attention to pick up on little things like that.
Rabbit White´s last blog ..RabbitLinks

By: Ryne

Ryne — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:36:02 +0000

I don’t think this phenomena necessarily happens with everyone, or maybe they adjust their dialects and accents at different rates. Because, I’ve lived in several countries and studied a decent amount of languages while living abroad and my Southern IL/Seattle mezcla jumble speech never changed or adjusted to German or Dutch or Spanish or even my English girlfriend’s way of speaking at all. I feel you though, because SOMETIMES, just sometimes, I notice a little teeny tiny bit of Harrisburg come out of my mouth while and ONLY while I’m there.

I like this article though, Rachel.

By: samantha

samantha — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:10:05 +0000

I mimic other people’s speech patterns too. I think it’s a lot like how we mimic body language, which is something people say we do when we are interested and comfortable and generally developing rapport with people.

Both of them make me really self conscious when I notice I’m doing them, which just makes me do it worse. It’s weird.