Cutehector:
Its normal sha.. Even d whites who come in here and stay for a long time in nigeria learn pidjin... So

Adelaide2:


Don't mind me, bro. I know it's normal. I was just shocked at the sudden transformation from a clear American accent to a clear Nigerian one. Indeed, the saying that while in Rome do as the Romans do is apt.

I guess coming to America as an adult has its disadvantage: I have tried to form Ame but my ''thick Igbotic tongue'' no gree me hahahahahhaha!!

Adelaide2:
Some Nigerians abroad go kill me with their foreign accent


Few days ago, I had checked into a Best Western Hotel in a ''remote'' suburb of one of the New England States. Upon checking out a few minutes ago I had to resolve some issues concerning my bill.

At the from desk, I met the Manager, a black woman. After speaking for a while (in my lovely Igbo accent, of course) and she responding in perfect American accent, she went on to ask me, ''where are you from''. I hesitated a bit, thinking whether to say ''Biafra'' or ''Nigeria'', but I answered ''Nigeria''. Then she responded in a thick Igbo accent.'' I knew you were Nigerian when you first spoke''. ''Nice to meet you'' she says. And then went on to say ''My name is Ms Echexxxx, originally from Imo State'' (I have removed the last four letters of her last name).

Hahahah!

Igbo people don "colonize" everywhere and forming Ame. I never expected to see one in this part of America.

Anyways......

delishpot:
So?

That is the problem with Nigerians. Once you open up to them, you loos3 your respect.
She spoke in the accent people there are used to. You were respecting her and appreciating her Accent. Then she recognise you as her Nwane, you come see say
She dey form Ame
Sh3 get thick igbo accent
She don colonize oyinbo land

tpiander:


you always know ti ara oko ba wolu. Na so their eye go dey gape at everything.

Adelaide2:


Not sure what you meant by respect her. If anything she should be the one respecting me. Anyways, note that there is a difference between "colonize" and colonize. Got it?

Ofodirinwa:
What so Nigerians think is a perfect American accent sounds like Kermit the Frog to actual Americans and you're better off using your Nigerian accent.


An accent isn't the same as pidgin. Pidgin is a sub language with it's own vocabulary. An accent isn't something you can fake, change, or adapt at will. It either happens or it doesn't. When you fake it you end up sounding foolish or harsh to listen to to a native speaker and can only 'fool' people from your country.

I see a lot of Nigerians trying to form 'American accent' and it sounds horrible and strange. If you move to a country after the age of 16 you will always have an accent no matter what. Embrace it and be clear when you speak. Chimamanda Adichie has a Nigerian accent but she's intelligible to everyone because she's clear and poised when speaking. Forming Americana doesn't mean clarity and if you're faking it it's impossible to be clear to anyone except other Nigerians that don't know better.

At the from desk, I met the Manager, a black woman. After speaking for a while (in my lovely Igbo accent, of course) and she responding in perfect American accent, she went on to ask me, ''where are you from''. I hesitated a bit, thinking whether to say ''Biafra'' grin grin grin grin or ''Nigeria'', but I answered ''Nigeria''. Then she responded in a thick Igbo accent.'' I knew you were Nigerian when you first spoke''. ''Nice to meet you'' she says. And then went on to say ''My name is Ms Echexxxx, originally from Imo State''

delishpot:


Ok o. I don hear you.
Just that the topic sounds like say you dey mock the woman. Guy look am well na.

tpiander:



smh.


sometimes its a waste of time being nice to people.

had she frowned at you and sent you on your way without the unnecessary chitchat, you wouldnt have opened this thread.

Adelaide2:


Not mocking her at all, just amusing, that's all.

Adelaide2:


Dude, having studied here I know what an American accent sounds like. Ms Echexxxx has it, despite her interchangeable Igbo one.

Ofodirinwa:

I know how hard it is to 'switch accents', that's why I was skeptical

Adelaide2:


Exactly the reason for my shock. If I had noticed any fakeness in her American accent, it would not have shocked me upon knowing she is, or was, also Nigerian.

Ofodirinwa:
What so Nigerians think is a perfect American accent sounds like Kermit the Frog to actual Americans and you're better off using your Nigerian accent.


An accent isn't the same as pidgin. Pidgin is a sub language with it's own vocabulary. An accent isn't something you can fake, change, or adapt at will. It either happens or it doesn't. When you fake it you end up sounding foolish or harsh to listen to to a native speaker and can only 'fool' people from your country.

I see a lot of Nigerians trying to form 'American accent' and it sounds horrible and strange. If you move to a country after the age of 16 you will always have an accent no matter what. Embrace it and be clear when you speak. Chimamanda Adichie has a Nigerian accent but she's intelligible to everyone because she's clear and poised when speaking. Forming Americana doesn't mean clarity and if you're faking it it's impossible to be clear to anyone except other Nigerians that don't know better.

Adelaide2:


Hey! Buzz off, my old hag of a mother. No one wants to notice you today. Come back next time

ronald4lif:


Absolutely factual. A lot of people just rhyme words thinking they have American or British accent which is false and laughable. The way they speak is completely different from the way native of this countries and kids born and grew up here speak.

If one is not born in these countries, spent their childhood and teen years here they can't adapt to their accent and would always have the accent of their home countries.

ronald4lif:



If one is not born in these countries, spent their childhood and teen years here they can't adapt to their accent and would always have the accent of their home countries.

asha80:
Francis5 nothing funny in this..some Nigerians genuinely have America or British accent depending on how long they have lived there...moreover in that backward area you described speaking a 'foreign accent' to all those customers might result to 'you say what' being repeated to customer service person