andamu

We never have an accent to our own ears. Ask a mid-westerner about their accent, and they look at you as if you're from another planet.

A friend had settled in the deep south some years ago. When his brother came to visit from abroad, he decided to take him to a diner for a "true American experience."

Realizing that the accents are likely to create some difficulties, he prepared his brother, saying "The waitress will offer you the Special of the Day. You won't understand her, and even if you could, you won't know what the food is. But it is usually good so, whatever she says, just say 'Yes, thank you.'"

And so, well-prepared, they set off for the restaurant. The friend was busy getting their coats settled when the waitress approached his brother. He responded, well-rehearsed, "Yes, thank you."

She looked puzzled, and repeated herself. He wondered if she had a problem with his accent, and said more slowly and more clearly, "yes, thank you."

When the friend arrived at the table it was in the middle of the third go-round, just in time to tranlate for his brother that "mape ye" means "may I help you?"
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I you doubt what I say about accents, try saying "water" in an American conversation. But pronounce it the British way, say the "t" as a "t" and not a "d." If you don't know what I mean, listen to some BBC America, and try and copy what they say.

It is a simple word, one we frequently use in all sorts of conversations, and it never fails to produce a double-take. I have to repeat the word on average three times before the other person understands what I am saying.