Most struggle. The people who get it are people from the north of England, Wales or Scotland. In my last job, one woman from Kent used to phone me all the time just to hear my accent. It took her months before I could talk at a normal pace. The recording on the site is slower and clearer than I can be (because there'd be no point doing it if nobody understood).
I have an American friend (Colorado) who has lived in this city for two years and she still only understands every other sentence. As soon as I see the blank look, I know I've lost her. Weirdly, her mother understands me perfectly and another American friend (California) not only understands but uses the accent and slang herself.
Australians seem to understand but New Zealanders struggle. Canadians don't tend to have much problem with it and Europeans pick it up rapidly (despite not even speaking the same language). I think English speakers (including those in England) have the hardest time.
Is it normal voice/accent comparison
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Most struggle. The people who get it are people from the north of England, Wales or Scotland. In my last job, one woman from Kent used to phone me all the time just to hear my accent. It took her months before I could talk at a normal pace. The recording on the site is slower and clearer than I can be (because there'd be no point doing it if nobody understood).
I have an American friend (Colorado) who has lived in this city for two years and she still only understands every other sentence. As soon as I see the blank look, I know I've lost her. Weirdly, her mother understands me perfectly and another American friend (California) not only understands but uses the accent and slang herself.
Australians seem to understand but New Zealanders struggle. Canadians don't tend to have much problem with it and Europeans pick it up rapidly (despite not even speaking the same language). I think English speakers (including those in England) have the hardest time.