The Filipinos refer to this as a nose bleed
Most Filipinos can just cope with listening to someone speak English as long as it is a clear American accent. Put in a Brit, European or an Aussie accent like G’Day mate and you can see the eyes grow wide and the look of concern as none of the words are being understood.
The Filipinos refer to this as a nose bleed. This means they are trying to concentrate so hard on the words that it is making them sick. The majority of Filipinos believe that the English language originates from the U.S., not surprisingly when you consider the American owned and controlled the Philippines and had their culture implanted on this Asian land.
But, when it comes to the Australian accent the Filipno all but gives up. Apart from the sentence appearing to end in a question, the rest of the words are swallowed when they speak. In other words the Philippines (and, to be honest, some non-Filipinos) believe that the Australians mumble (eat their words). Add in a few words and phrases only known to Australians and you have the end of any meaningful communication between the two countries.
In England, accents vary according to class and region. In America, they vary according to race and region. Unlike America or England, Australia has no variance in speaking according to class, race or region. Instead, the accent varies according to ideology or gender. Two Australians can grow up side by side, go to the same schools, do the same job, but end up speaking English using different words, different syntax and with different accents. In fact, due to the gender variance, a brother and sister can grow up in the same house and end up speaking differently.
Australia has three recognised accents. About ten per cent of Australians speak like ex-prime minister Bob Hawke with what is known as a broad Australian accent. The broad Australian accent is usually spoken by men. 80 per cent speak like Nicole Kidman with a general Australian accent. 10 per cent speak like ex Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser with British received pronunciation or cultivated English. Although some men use the pronunciation, the majority of Australians that speak with the accent are women. It is a myth that working class Australians use cockney like David Beckam. It is a myth that Queenslanders speak differently to South Australians. It is also a myth that children of migrants have distinct accents.
John is a very young 57 who has lived in the Philippines for over ten years and makes his living online as an SEO consultant and copy writer along with other online resources. John has lived in Davao, Manila and in Puerto Galera and has become an honoury Filipino. His hobbies include traveling and 1970s culture. For any articles or online work please feel free to contact John on [email protected]
