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

[zvi]

For me, personally, it depends a great deal on how the speaker's native language intersects with English. I love anatsuno's podfic, and she is clearly, to my ear, not a native English speaker, although I don't know that I would have caught that she's francophone just from listening.

I've had very mixed experiences listening to people with German accents. Some German accents I like reading English, and others work less well for me. I have no idea where the accents I like come from, but, for instance, I find samantharichter's They Grip the Ground ridiculously charming. (I mean, partially because it is an awesome story of total cuteness, but partially because I enjoy her saying Ronocijitikel over and over again.)

However, I don't know that a non-native speaker of English's accent is any more or less challenging to listen to than a native speaker with an accent that is very different than mine, or even one who speaks a different English than I do. (One of my absolute favorite podfics is Retrograde read by kyizi. She does an amazing job of capturing everyone's voice and delivery, even though she is Scottish. On the other hand, I'm not that fond of hack_benjamin22's A Farm in Iowa because her accent's really flat and her voice is a smidge nasal, and she's speaking perfectly clear and American English, just not from my part of the States.)

If your pronunciation is consistent enough that you would feel you were likely to be able to call an establishment run by native speakers and having a conversation that would successfully accomplish your goal in calling them, go for it!

And if you don't feel brave enough to record in English, please consider recording in your native language, if there is fic you like to read in your native language or translations of fic you like to read in your native language.

[jesse_the_k]

What you said.

When the speaker's accent conflicts with the text, then it would be a problem — but one I've never encountered.

Checked out the Farm in Iowa recording and I didn't hear *any* accent at all. That's probably because Wisconsin is pretty close to Iowa in terms of flat, nasal pronunciations.

The important point is there are so many Englishes! Celebrate diversity!

[troisroyaumes]

Personally, I'm all for non-native English speakers recording podfics! (My parents are first-generation U.S. immigrants so hearing non-native English accents is something I grew up with and find familiar.) I think as long as it's enjoyable for you, you should go ahead. :)

[darkemeralds]

I've had great pleasure in listening to podfics by non-native English speakers, and for me, part of the pleasure is just enjoying my amazement at their accomplishment. I couldn't record comprehensibly in any of the other languages I've studied.

I'm jarred by significant mispronunciations of words (accent on the wrong syllable, stuff like that), but I feel that way about mispronounced place names (for example) by native speakers, and frankly it doesn't happen any more often in one case than the other.

I think if non-native English speakers are moved to make podfic, they should! And I totally second the notion of people recording things in their own language. I'd listen to fic in French!

[mific]

I agree that many podfics by 'English as second language' speakers are great, and that there are some by 'English as 1st language' speakers that I don't like - generally because of a flat, monotonous delivery. If you're really not sure, get a beta to listen to it for you - maybe to listen to a shorter initial section like not more than 30 minutes worth, in case there are general things you need to alter about how you're doing it. If you posted here asking for a beta I'm sure several of us would be happy to help. A beta could advise about the overall comprehensibility and flow, and about any specific mispronunciations if there are any significant ones. Personally, I don't mind minor ones, which often add charm.

[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.

[acari]

I can't do German accents because I am German myself and it's just too distracting. The accent overwhelms the story for me. I end up listening for the pronounciation quirks and not paying attention to the story.

Other than that, many of my favourite podfics are by non-native English speakers. The accent of the reader is really secondary. I am just as likely to be thrown out of a story by the strong dialect of a native speaker, than a foreign accent.

I need to like the pacing and delivery, how the reader manages to convey emotion and different character voices.

[lian]

Practically speaking, I'd suggest getting a beta, both for reassurance and because some mispronunciations are just embarrassing (and often more distracting than the actual accent.)

(I'm saying that as a non-native speaker who has recorded podfic without a beta. Yeah, whoops.)

If you're worried about your accent making your reading unintelligible, I'd suggest working extra hard on making the recording high quality (like getting a beta, looking up podficcing tricks like building your own pop shield etc.), which will go a looong way to making listening easier.

Native language podfic -- I understand there's less fic to choose from and less of an audience, but it may be a good starting place, for working out technicalities without the additional challenge of foreign language, in case you haven't recorded podfic before.

(disclaimer: I gave up on recording podfic in English, since it takes so much freaking effort for me to read intelligibly in English (I already mumble in my mother tongue) that it kinda took the fun out of it for me. So uhm I may not be the person to ask. )

[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.)

Bringing in the shallow...

[constance_b]

Some accents are so damn sexy you could listen all day, and as I'm guessing it's a different accent for everyone, you're bound to please someone.

Personally I do find mispronounciations distracting but then as an English person listening to Americans you have to get used to it or you miss bits of the fic shouting 'it's al-u-min-i-um, damnit' I'm sure Americans have the same problem in reverse. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find a volunteer to listen for any mispronounciations that make the meaning unclear or are accidentally hilarious.

Re: Bringing in the shallow...

[bearpaw9]

It would be cool if more podcasts were rated for sexy voices and accents. (I think iTunes should add this feature.)

I enjoy Coffee Break Espanol Spanish lessons because the two hosts are both Scots. /swoon

[(Anonymous)]

Tinypinkmouse is not a native speaker, but her recordings are absolutely, to my ear, beautiful. I'd much rather listen to her voice telling a story than to a native speaker to be honest. It's not an erotic thing by means, I just think she has an incredible voice and her accent is beautiful.

I personally don't mind re-listening to work out what was said in a sentence I'm not too sure about, native speaker or not, because I think it's all part of the charm of listening to another person speak.

[beatrice_otter]

I don't listen to podfic, but here's my opinion about public speaking in general: as long as the non-native speaker actually knows the language, they're not necessarily any worse than a native speaker as long as they speak slowly, clearly, and follow the punctuation--commas, periods, question marks, exclamation points, etc--to tell them how to inflect it. IOW, as long as they follow the rules of public speaking, it's fine. It's the same rules as for a native speaker, but native speakers can get away with letting things slide more easily.

[yourlibrarian]

I'm jarred by significant mispronunciations of words (accent on the wrong syllable, stuff like that), but I feel that way about mispronounced place names (for example) by native speakers, and frankly it doesn't happen any more often in one case than the other.

Exactly this. I think that attention to pacing may matter more if someone is not a native speaker, but I have heard various recordings from second language podficcers and have found them pretty much the same sort of experience I'd have were they native English speakers.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks for all your answers!
Yeah, doing a recording in my native tongue first might be a good idea.

[amymccabe]

In theory, I think it is great.

Personally, I have a learning disability called auditory processing disorder, which sometimes causes me to have difficulty understanding people with a strong accent. But it really all depends on how strong the accent is and what the native language is. I have difficulty distinguishing the difference between certain phonemes and if the native language renders the speaker unable to pronounce those phonemes properly, it gets difficult for me. So, for example, I have a lot of trouble with a native Chinese speaker (which sadly my boss is) but much less trouble with someone from India. If I start listening to a podcast and find that it is difficult for me to understand the person, I'd stop. Otherwise I'm good with it.

[eosrose]

There's an audience for every voice! Chances are that story will never be podficced if you don't do it; and if someone else does do it, options are always good. I sort of like playing the "where is that accent from?" game while listening to non-native podficcers. It's fun.

[helva2260.livejournal.com]

The biggest problem I've had listening to a non-native speaker, was someone who spoke so fast that the individual words merged into each other (and she also swallowed half her words). I think it probably happened due to nervousness and the fact that her native language is suited to rapid speech - but let's face it, speaking too fast causes problems in recordings whatever accent you have!

(In the end I had to turn it off and delete it from my library, because my brain refused to interpret it as words and I was only hearing syllables and inflections interspersed with the odd name. N.B. My brain does do weird things with editing/pattern-matching sometimes, so it's possible that it wouldn't have been a deal-breaker for other listeners!)