Is it impolite to comment favorably on someone's accent?

I'm kind of torn--recently I spoke with a woman from Equatorial Guinea, and her accent was really mellifluous to me, but I was reluctant to say anything about it for fear of making her uncomfortable.

In the end, I just said "why do you talk so weird?"



Well, that last part I made up...

He still speaks in Italian-accented English and the only thing he hates more than the stupid mafia jokes is being "complemented" on his accent. He sees it as a flaw in his speech.

In New Orleans years ago I said to somebody with a beautiful (what I thought was) Louisiana dialect, "That's what I came here to hear." They said, "I'm from Arkansas."

I used to know a girl from Texarkana and her drawl was worse than mine, it was beautiful. People from outside of the south can't place the different southern accents so it's better I think just to say 'southern accent' in general. I would love to hear someone say they liked mine, because when I have to do pronunciation for my medical classes and listen to it I really can't stand the way my voice sounds. I really loathe it...I've lived in several different regions of the south and my accent is so patchwork and weird sounding. Once someone actually asked me if I was from Scotland, lol.

Once, I received a customer service call for a caller in India; you could tell because of the accent. I told her "You have a lovely accent".

She said "Thank you." We had a pleasant conversation and then hung up. No bog deal. I like to think it made her day. :-)

especially if she's been in the country for a while. My mom's been in the states over 30 years and it pisses her off when people comment on her accent. Just let it go.

I find it's safest to not really mention people's bodily stuff, even in a positive light - even a pair of beautiful eyes might be a source of suffering and angst by the person who has them, but hates them.

Until you get to know someone, references to body, accents, hair, anything are off limits. It's just impolite.

Dude, I love that huge divot in your forehead! for example.

page 3

"You have traveled in the course of the night from the meticulous to the slime. The girl with the shaved head has a scar tatooed on her scalp. It looks like a long, sutured gash. You tell her it is very realistic. She takes this as a compliment and thanks you. You meant as opposed to romantic."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Reading that always gives me a fit of giggles for some reason, one of the funniest things I've ever read in a work of fiction.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0394726413/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-1549913-7294556#reader-link

we could understand them better if they came with subtitles. Hell no, enjoy the accent and keep it to yourself.

He toured Belfast with two cab drivers--one Catholic & one Protestant. Then he treated them both to food & drink in a historic pub.

Subtitles were added for the cab drivers. Belfast English is something else.

perhaps it's better to find that out initially. I personally don't care for compliments, but I don't get offended by a gesture of kindness.

favorably on my accent which is slight, somewhat generic American inflected with a bit of northern Italian and a little tiny bit of NC twang.

I did/do not mind the compliments at all, nor do I look at the way I speak as a defect. Considering how I learned English, I'd say it is a wonder indeed that I speak as clearly and as nearly accent-free as I do (not that I wouldn't mind if I didn't speak as accent-free).

including folks from different parts of the states. I've never had anyone react negatively to it....

I love the way you speak, might be a nice way to say it.

"Your voice is beautiful." is a bit different than "You speak English very well for an immigrant."

Even then, it might be forward to make personal comments about someone.

You ever notice how some people can say almost anything and it's always taken well, whereas others can say the exact same thing and it's taken wrong? My grandmother was one of those people who could say anything. She had this marvelous personality- never had an enemy in her life. She was this time little person- all of five feet tall with the cutest little Kentucky accent. She could insult you and you'd still walk away feeling complimented. It's all in the approach and vocabulary.

But for my grandmother, it came out naturally. If a compliment feels rehearsed or forced, it won't be taken as easily as a natural comment. So, if reflecting on the beauty of an accent is the authentic you and something you'd say, then it shouldn't be a problem. if it isn't, then I'd suggest not saying anything as it will feel artificial and be awkward.

I think the world would be better off if everyone found more opportunities to sincerely compliment each other, and I try to do my part. And I think those who react negatively to well-intended, kind words are actually projecting from other, bigger issues.

On the other hand, you may wish to play it safe with a compliment to the person's "voice" as opposed to their accent: "You have such a lovely voice. I'll bet you get compliments on it all the time." Then they are free to interpret that as regarding their accent, or not. And, if discussing their accent with others has been a positive experience for them in the past, they are likely to pick up the ball and open that conversation on their own. If not, you know to let it go.

once you know someone quite well would probably go over better than "I like your accent" and it says the same thing. Saying either to a virtual stranger would be rude IMHO.