deathbyprayer

Wow that's really cool news. But I was just wondering, how fast and accurate the translation will be. I mean sure it's real time but I can't help but imagine some really awkward scenarios once the mistranslated words roll off. 

Wow that's quite unfortunate. Seems a little unfair though. I never had a similar experience but however, I did had some difficulties with my college professor once, he was from Nigeria and he had a very thick accent that most of them we can't really understand him especially when he starts to get excited while giving the lecture.

Never really got into trouble with language but more because of sign language and gestures. When I visited a friend who was from the Middle East I made the "Okay" sign with my thumb to his parents when I first arrived and they all stared at each other and laughed and explained to me what it meant for them

Wow that must've been really hard for you then, but it's just weird that you're more familiar with your second language that your first, or wait, was English your first language or Japanese? I never had the same experience but I usually cuss in other language instead of English so I guess that counts in a way.

I was actually born and raised in America but English even though it's sort of my native language in a way is not really practiced in our home so I'm more trained to speak Japanese.

This just happened to me the other day, so I came to visit my family and friends back home in Japan and I just noticed that I'm so used to speaking English all the time that when I went back home I kept on speaking and casually talking in English and  I forgot that my folks and friends know little of the language and I would constantly slip back and forth, it was a real riot.

Lots of practice and immerse yourself as much as possible in the language and accent you are learning.  Really get the sound of it in your head by listening to audio books, radio broadcasts, whatever is available to you and keep practicing repeating what you are hearing, trying to make it sound just like what you heard.

I was actually ramming ever possible useful thing in my brain when it comes to accent. But I found out that it's really not a lack of practice on my part but more of the mouth shapes and how your mouth, jaw and tongue should work .

Something that has worked for me is to listen to the target accent many times, for example from a movie, and then to try to imitate the accent over and over. It helps to read the script. For example, I like Tom Wilkinson's accent in the movie Michael Clayton. I found a great Youtube video with his opening monologue, and I imitated it many times. I think this helped!

Yes I did that practice also! And it really helped a lot, I tend to imitate Brad Pitts accent and overall character when he played the role of Tyler Durden in Fight Club, it really helps to have some sort of role model.

The Japanese tongue is really hard to train when it comes to the accent especially when you're not born in an English speaking country and your taught Japanese as your first language. But there are a lot of videos you can find online that teaches a few exercise on how to get your tongue warmed up for certain accents.

I was actually born in California but my parents always speak Japanese at home so every time I got home from school I can't really practice the English language. But I did pick up on the accent it just doesn't feel natural to me.

Wow, I can't remember mine. I think it was "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog"? Oh wait that's in typing class. Oh yeah I got it, I remember it was "My name is (followed by your name)" and then we would state the name of our parents and siblings.

LOL If I was in daycare and my teacher just let us say that sentence (the quick brown fox one) I would probably never be the same as today. But that would be cool though.

Yes, I too have tried Duolingo. And I too agree that it is great for beginners.

I was learning French using their Android application. What I liked about it is that it taught me French through questions and not by just pure memorization. This way I better remember the words at every stage. And what is great about Duolingo is that they integrate the words you have previously learned to the new word they are teaching you. This way they could check if you recall previously taught words and if you have retained the knowledge.

Also, the application has great User Interface.

Lastly, it is free!

Yup the app was great indeed. My only complain about it is that you have to have a connection to the internet before you can load it up.

I took a small course some years ago, I was reviewing my English and was also trying to learn how to teach the language.  It cost me around $100 a month.  I regret taking it, btw, it confused me even more, lol.  I didn't learn that much and I never saw my diploma, they ran off. It turned out to be one of those fake schools.

Whoa! You too? I had the similar ordeal once but it wasn't really a school it's more of training center of sorts. Maybe we both got scammed by the same guys?

Yes. Talking to the locals is the best thing you can do to learn the language and the pronunciations, but vocabulary is kind of broad depending on which part of the globe you are because sometimes one thing can mean different to other places in the same country. Try to ask them about it, it's the best way you can do.

I second the YouTube recommendation. Here's a lady I found that addresses exactly what you are looking for. American Accent for Japanese Speakers

Her whole channel seems to be pretty useful, actually! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDmYmMIR1b7G4ezf2JzLgRA

Wow thanks! I've been on Youtube for a long time now trying to search for really good lessons on accents but this one takes the cake for me. Thanks a lot! 

I think the best way is to just live in the country for a few years and you'll pick up the accent naturally. I don't think you can force it because I can always tell if the accent is forced even if it's well hidden and subtle. Not that I think it is that important, but I'd you want it to sound as natural and not at all forced then I think it is the best way to go about it.

I'm actually been living in California for like 5 years now. I mean I do have the accent and I think I'm doing fine it's just it's hard to really keep it natural.

So you want tutors or just a community? There is this website I know of it's called Duolingo it's basically a language teaching app you can try your had on it, its pretty sweet. As for the community well I'm not sure I can help you with that.

I don't really have a lover that speaks a different language but I do have a friend. I say go for it, I mean there's nothing wrong with trying? Of course it's gong to be a challenge but I won't let our language get in the way of my feelings for someone.

Foreign language songs? I'm not really a born American so I guess you can say every song I listen to. But I really like some Korean songs most of them are K-Pop but only the really good ones. I don't really get into music that I don't understand lyrically speaking because of the language barrier, I can't seem to enjoy it.

I don't think there is a single solid motivator because it varies from person to person. I think the best would be the knowledge that you're probably going to be using that langue someday. And besides, it's some sort of a plus factor when you can speak more than two language.

I'll start off with my least favorite language, it's got to be anything from the northern part of Asia. Chinese (or Mandarin I don't know), Japanese and Korean. It's really hard to learn, I came and went to Japan and for the life of me I can't figure out how things work with the language.

My most favorite is English. I just love it. It's universally recognized and you can pretty much go to places and not have to worry that much about communication if you know how to speak English. I also love Italian, it has that musical string when you speak the language it's really flowy, kinda like pasta (no pun intended)

It will feel natural if you use it all the time. If you live in an English speaking country for a long time I guarantee you that it will be second nature to you but if you're not practicing it the obviously it's not going to feel natural. The key here is to always use and be familiar with the language, speak English, write English and think in English. If that doesn't make you familiar with the language then I don't know what will.

Morning is probably the best since that's the time where the brain is really active and ready to take in new information. Also it's the time where everybody is fresh and still full of energy, I would say avoid the afternoon as much as possible.

No you're very lucky here. But I do have a friend who speaks Italian but he's not Italian, I think he's Mom is a teacher or something well anyways, so yeah I learned a lot from that friend of mine. Every time I come over his house his Mom would talk to me in Italian and they would teach me a few words that up until now I remember.

I have tried Duolingo and I think it is a great website especially for beginners. However, once I started getting past that beginner level, the site became less and less helpful. I would advise anyone just starting to learn a new language to check it out. I was extremely helpful to me.

Wow, so you're saying it's only great for beginners trying to learn a new language? I've started using it just the other week and I have to say I really like it. Maybe I'll have to see it for myself. 

Not much can be said other than to practice, practice, and practice. Watch and listen more to how native speakers talk and repeat the words until it comes close. I know this sounds silly but Sesame Street is a great show to learn.

Totally agree with you in here 100%. Repetition and practice is your best way to perfect something not only language and accents but also other things. Practice makes perfect and that's really true. So I suggest you just go ahead and practice and practice. Try to talk to yourself with that accent and watch tons of American movies (preferable the good ones)

Yeah I practice all the time. I even try and talk to myself loudly in the bathroom, which is kind of embarrassing but hey, I'm trying to learn damn it. I guess what I mean is, are there any specific ways or practice or techniques you know to make your tongue more flexible when it comes to accents?

Well both options have their pros and cons but I'd prefer being in a class. Since language is communication, being able to use the language your learning to interact with others can be really beneficial for you. On the other hand having a one on one session can also be good since you can really focus on learning the language but I'm more for the class.