Submitted Discussion: Non-native speakers

[zvi]

How do you feel about non-native speakers recording a podfic?

Like, I'm playing with the thought of doing this fic, but English is not my native tongue. I don't think my pronunciation sucks *that* much, but still...

The query was posted anonymously on the statement of purpose entry.

Comments

[pensnest]

I've listened with pleasure to a handful of podfics recorded by non-native speakers of English, so I wouldn't think it's any kind of problem.

Although I understand if the original queryer is worried about it. I wonder if my own accent would be more of a problem with the stories I record, as I am very, very English (southern, RP) and the non-native speakers tend to have an American influence in their accents which probably goes better with an American fandom. So far I've solved the problem by only recording AU stories set in the UK, but I'm part-way through an actually American one, and just trusting that after a few minutes the accent won't matter.

[zvi]

For me as a listener, the only problems I've had with British readers reading in American fandoms is when one of the American characters had a Southern accent that was distinct from the rest of the (television) cast or when the British reader adopted a bad American accent. FayJay is one of my favorites for J2, for instance, and she's really great.

I think that, rather than trying to adjust your accent, you may find the most benefit from changing your cadence for dialogue, so that the delivery is reminiscent of the original actor. Also, you may want to watch out for pronunciation differences. Every time Jack Harkness says Eeeeeeeeeeestrogen, my eyes roll on forever. (In America English, it's a short e or a schwa.)