[Sandeep28294]

Why is it that Americans find the manner in which those from India speak to be quite amusing?

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Name : Sandeep28294, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Hindu, Age : 26, City : Austin, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Jennifer R.]

For me, it’s the bouncing roundness with which the words are pronounced. Especially words with the letter ‘d’ in them. Also, people from India seem to mix up the gramatical structure of a sentence, not that that’s unique to them, but in conbination with the distinctive accent, it’s very quirky. I wouldn’t use the word ‘amusing’ to describe my reaction, but rather, ‘charming’. I’m sorry if that’s condescending. I would never make fun of it. After all, we Americans can rarely speak another language besides out own, let alone pronounce words in such a way that our accents do not immediately give us away when we do. I just smile inwardly, and enjoy it. ____________________

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Name : Jennifer R., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Humanist, Age : 29, City : Saint Paul, State : MN, Country : United States, Occupation : Writer/Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[SD29540]

I’m a graduate student in a university with many Indians; I’ve had Indian professors and classmates. I love listening to Indians talk; it sound very poetic, almost like they’re singing. I don’t find it funny; if I smile when listening, it’s either because they’re saying something amusing or because I’m simply enjoying the accent.

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Name : SD29540, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 23, City : Baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Silly-Boy]

Because you talk funny. Watch Apu Nahasapimapetalan on The Simpsons and you will see the typical Americans’ view of Injuns.

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Name : Silly-Boy, City : Rockville, State : MD, Country : United States, 

[Andy23930]

My guess is that Americans find the speech of Indians amusing because the speech patterns and accents of people from India are so different. Yes, most Indians in the United States speak English quite well (for many, it is their first language). But they have an accent and way of speaking that is different from American speech, and I think those differences make Americans uncomfortable, and they often react to that discomfort by laughing. I hope you don’t take it personally; I don’t think any perceived disrespect is intentional.

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Name : Andy23930, Gender : M, City : Indianapolis, State : IN, Country : United States, 

[Andy23931]

My guess is that many Americans find the speech of Indians amusing bc the speech patterns and accents of people from India are different from American English. Yes, most Indians in the US speak English quite well (for many, it is their first language). But some have an accent and way of speaking that is different than American speech and I think those differences make Americans uncomfortable and they often react to that discomfort by laughing. I hope you don’t take it personally I don’t think any perceived disrespect is intentional.

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Name : Andy23931, City : Indianapolis, State : IN, Country : United States, 

[Dan27161]

This is an anecdote from my personal experience. It seems that many Asian Indian people own and/or run convenience stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. And of course, my shady friends of old used to cause trouble in such establishments, and would always have stories to tell. Mock cries of ‘Get away from the Slurpee Machine!’ or ‘I do not sell beer to teenagers!’ were done in a mock Indian accent. Many people I knew seemed to associate such an accent with the vigilant shopkeeps who, broom in hand, made sure they didn’t slop the Slurpee mix all over the floor or try to purchase (or steal) any Mickey’s 40 ouncers.

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Name : Dan27161, Gender : M, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Pentecostal Christian, Age : 21, City : L.A. area, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Marie]

You asked why we think it is amusing. I simply think it is something as simple as the character Apu from the Simpson’s. If you ever here an American trying to imitate and Indian accent they are mocking Apu not a true Indian from India. Apu’s accent is exaggerated and that is what makes it funny.

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Name : Marie, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 21, City : Southfield, State : MI, Country : United States, 

[Kate]

I know what you mean about accents. It is really rude if you laugh at someone (especially at their face) because of their accent.. At school, I have many friends that are from India and at first it’s hard to understand what they say, but then you get used to it.. I also know how it feels to be laughed at because of your accent..I don’t have an accent, but I do a British accent around my friends sometimes and I know how it feels to be really annoyed by someone repeating what you say..And it can get really annoying when my friends laugh at my face but then say, ‘I wasn’t laughing at you!’ But you know they were anyway..And it doesn’t really hurt because they’re my friends, but if someone I didn’t know laughed at my face because of my accent..I know that would really hurt..

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Name : Kate, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 13, City : Seattle, State : WA, Country : United States, Education level : Less than High School Diploma, 

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