English as a second language
Maybe I should get it
That’s it!
- I am a native Spanish speaker.
- I have a five-year English Philology degree from the University of Deusto, in Bilbao.
- I have a Masters in Translation from Estudio Sampere, in Madrid.
- I spent two summers in England.
- I’ve lived in the US for the last 15 years.
- I speak Basque. Maybe I don’t have the highest level ever, but I can carry a conversation and write emails.
My job is to provide software support for the big, big, big digital presses. However, I am more than happy to help anybody that comes through the line, unless they treat me like I’m stupid, that is. I am sorry, but I’ve had it with the “Can I please talk to someone that speaks English?” line from customers that end up erroneously on my phone, looking for help. They’re almost always calls from people who own a laptop or a desktop printer but pressed the wrong button on the menu.
I’m going to tell you a secret, though, Mr./Mrs. Customer. Do you know why you hear an accent on my voice when I talk? Right, that’s because English is not my first language, a hint that should immediately take you to the conclusion that I am, at least, bilingual. In my case, make that multilingual. (That means that I speak multiple languages. As in more than two.)
How many languages do you speak, Mr./Mrs. customer? I get that you might have some trouble understanding my accent. Some people (I’ve encountered at least 3 in the 15 years I’ve lived in the US) have that problem, but there is no need to be rude about it.
Remember, you’re not better than me just because you don’t have an accent when you speak English.
3 thoughts on “English as a second language”
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Actually, that last line is not quite true. EVERYBODY has “an accent.” It all depends on how “accent” is defined. Doesn’t George Bush have “an accent”? Doesn’t David Beckham have “an accent”? Doesn’t Snooki have “an accent”? They’re all “native” English speakers and they have a damn accent.
I can’t stand it when somebody goes “where are you from?” Well, I’m a U.S. citizen, and it’s none of your frickin’ business were I was born. Another one I can’t stand is, “Oh, I love your accent. It’s so cute!” Yeah, well, at least I can speak four languages!
Actually, that last line is not quite true. EVERYBODY has “an accent.” It all depends on how “accent” is defined. Doesn’t George Bush have “an accent”? Doesn’t David Beckham have “an accent”? Doesn’t Snooki have “an accent”? They’re all “native” English speakers and they have a damn accent.
I can’t stand it when somebody goes “where are you from?” Well, I’m a U.S. citizen, and it’s none of your frickin’ business were I was born. Another one I can’t stand is, “Oh, I love your accent. It’s so cute!” Yeah, well, at least I can speak four languages!
What can I add that Baska hasn’t said already? Well, maybe a few curse words here and there, hahaha. But I agree, we all have accents and people don’t realize that when they lose the ability of being polite, it only takes away their dignity and my respect for them.
What can I add that Baska hasn’t said already? Well, maybe a few curse words here and there, hahaha. But I agree, we all have accents and people don’t realize that when they lose the ability of being polite, it only takes away their dignity and my respect for them.
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