An american accent - every callcenter agent wannabee seems to want..

[bongmjr]

Is it really a prerequisite for call center agent applicants to have american accent, or neutral accent would be enough? Heard most call centers provide accent trainings to their new hires anyway. Incidentally, for one who have no access to imported american accent cds/kits (are there similar products available locally?) and opportunities to attend those trainings/seminar, what could be next best, most effective and simplest method/s of acquiring american accent?:)

[SILENTMAX]

listen to rap pop and r&b

its the shizzie yo.

for the two double O thrizie

[leftwinger]

ask from friends who work in consultancy firms, esp. those who have call centers as clients, they usually provide that type of material.

[Ice Burn]

it's because some Americans don't want to deal with anyone different. By having an American accent, you are giving the impression that you are a fellow american to help them.

Go watch american movies and listen carefully to the accents and practice.

[f0r5aK3n]

Translating Tagalog in your head either subconsciously or consciously makes speaking with an American accent harder. Try speaking English in your everyday life until the english words come out of your mouth naturally.

[heymikey]

Originally posted by SILENTMAX
listen to rap pop and r&b

its the shizzie yo.

for the two double O thrizie
I don't think most people from the US would want to talk to some call center person with a ghetto accent. That is just whack.

[Ice Burn]

Yeah that's true...People in the US obviously want have someone who sounds educated to assist them and not someone who slangs his/her way through a customer's inquiries and requests.

Some of you may think that the ghetto speak sounds cool and very American. But if you actually try to listen and try to understand what they are saying, it's really an American version of what we refer to in the Philippines as salitang kanto.

And the way some of us feel about salitang kanto is the same way some Americans feel about ghetto speak.

[Una_dagmar]

If you have enough patience, watch CNN or other American news programs. If you can, watch shows for kids and toddlers as well. They usually teach you how to pronounce well, as you try to read typical English words. Try to watch foreign films as well. Don't limit yourself to American movies. Hearing various accents can help you practice being flexible and will exercise your vocal tools.

Compare and contrast sounds and try them all, yourself.

Most importantly, don't feel embarrassed. Confidence is the key.

[SILENTMAX]

Originally posted by heymikey
I don't think most people from the US would want to talk to some call center person with a ghetto accent. That is just whack.

why you want to playa hate, peace aight :P


hehehe

[SILENTMAX]

http://www.asksnoop.com/

read the net in a whole new light

[BabyFATS]

Maybe it's just me but reading the title of this thread, I felt like it's a bad thing to want an American accent. :shakehead:

I'm not a call center wannabe (because I've been in the industry long before the boom) but I don't see anything wrong with wanting an American accent. It's a need, not a want, and there's nothing wrong with trying to develop the skill of communicating in flawless English, and yes, with the American accent.

Most call centers do offer training for this, but if you don't have access to those expensive kits or to that kind of training, I suggest you watch a lot of American shows and films. Heck, you can start with Sesame Street! :D

You can also try a reliable dictionary with guides to pronunciation. Just exaggerate the sounds, and you'll be fine. :)

http://www.ethanwiner.com/Smiley%20Land/Tongue.gif

[sweet_angel79]

practice makes perfect! *okay*

[thehitman]

As I would usually say during new hire tours, Ower kostomers pind it hard to understand us ip we spik in English using our pilipino accent, so eben ip we have the corrrect grammar, syntax, etc., ip di accent is diperent, they still might not understand us, and get irate or hang up.

:cool:

[angst]

You will get an accent once you think like an American and start speaking English even during normal conversations.

[c_brain]

1. Hangout with American expats.... there's nothing better than getting a 1st hand experience in speaking with someone who speaks the English language.

2. Befriend those Am-boys/girls. They may not be as pure-blooded Americans as you want, but you can still learn a lot from them.

3. Befriend those "konyo" people you used to discriminate back in high-school or college. Admit it, they're a cut ahead of you when it comes to English, and that accent is what you need for this kinda job.

4. Switch channels.... refrain from watching shows in ABS-CBN and tune-in to programs shown in Channel 23.

5. Speak at a moderate speed. This is a comment made by one of our expats. Filipinos tend to speak so fast regardless of their accent that foreigners can't quite catch what we are trying to convey.

[Una_dagmar]

Originally posted by angst
You will get an accent once you think like an American and start speaking English even during normal conversations.

I'd rather rephrase this as "think like a talking American" rather than "think American". Let's not forget who we really are. Speaking English during normal conversations would be great if you do so in a group that allows you to. Otherwise, people would think that you're just a real weirdo (especially if you use your American accent).

[bongmjr]

Does it really work, think like a talking american? Well, I've heard of this advice b4... one must think in english, and not just speak it. I just thought it's kinda weird..parang mahirap gawin, albeit Ive found myself many times whispering my thoughts in english. Damn, if I really want it, I'll just have myself employed in a call center and get advantage of the accent training..btw, 22o b what they say about the contract or employment bond?

[husky150]

Hehehehe at least call centers don't require you to speak in a British accent :D

[f0r5aK3n]

when learning an American accent, make sure it isn't southern accent! :) It's kinda kewl though when you see a Filipino speaking in a southern accent! hehe... A midwestern accent or a slight New England accent is preferrable. :)

Let me point out again what I posted earlier and what Una_dagmar reitirated. Think like a talking American. Don't translate Tagalog to English in your head. Once English comes out of your head fairly naturally, then it'll also come out of your mouth naturally. The pronounciation will then follow naturally as well.

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
when learning an American accent, make sure it isn't southern accent! :) It's kinda kewl though when you see a Filipino speaking in a southern accent! hehe... A midwestern accent or a slight New England accent is preferrable. :)

Let me point out again what I posted earlier and what Una_dagmar reitirated. Think like a talking American. Don't translate Tagalog to English in your head. Once English comes out of your head fairly naturally, then it'll also come out of your mouth naturally. The pronounciation will then follow naturally as well.

that's funny.. i speak with a southern accent

[f0r5aK3n]

Originally posted by aina_crazy_girl
that's funny.. i speak with a southern accent

how ya doin lass! :D let's go line dancin this weekend? ;)

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
how ya doin lass! :D let's go line dancin this weekend? ;)

well now, how am i goan do that, hon? when y'all're way over there and li'l ol' me's way over here?

y'all could come on over and we could shoot the breeze and ev'rythin' all fine and dandy!

hehehe :glee:

[f0r5aK3n]

hahahahahaha... hope you're not chewing tobacco while speaking like that... :p

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
hahahahahaha... hope you're not chewing tobacco while speaking like that... :p
ahahaaha! nope. don't be silly!

i don't even smoke!

[Braveheart]

if you had studied phonetics, you would have learned about aspiration --- that puff of air you generate when producing vowel and consonant sounds. try observing proper aspiration which will make your pronunciation and accent better.

and as for watching american shows, that's useless, if you don't practice what you watch. :)

[aina_crazy_girl]

for american accent traiing, please pm me...

[f0r5aK3n]

Originally posted by aina_crazy_girl
for american accent traiing, please pm me...

hmm.. wouldn't it be better to call you? :) That way, I can practice getting an American accent?

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
hmm.. wouldn't it be better to call you? :) That way, I can practice getting an American accent?

call me then...

pm me and i'll give you my digits

aina

[f0r5aK3n]

Aina: ye god! what a voice! and awesome accent! :)

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
Aina: ye god! what a voice! and awesome accent! :)

:lol: LOL!

why, thank you ever so much... i am truly flattered. tickled pink, too! :blush:

[f0r5aK3n]

if I was at home... ima need a cold shower.. hahahahahhahaha

[CoreenRt]

We provide American Accent Training for Call Centers as well...but it's not a miracle drug. The best way is to practice. But we do correct your speech defects, which will be difficult to correct on your own. Even made a specialized module for that specific purpose. But, as i said, the best way is to practice. If you work in a Call Center, your accent will improve as your call handling average increases.

[phaelun]

hm.... for me, it wasn't an american accent training. they just gave us a quick (as in quick) overview on how to pronounce some words correctly. they do encourage us to speak in english though.

[bobito_salonga]

hm.... for me, it wasn't an american accent training. they just gave us a quick (as in quick) overview on how to pronounce some words correctly. they do encourage us to speak in english though.

like what a-apppllee, b- bannanna, c-coconut.... :D

[woofers]

Originally posted by aina_crazy_girl
for american accent traiing, please pm me...

Hehe. aina_crazy_girl's too modest to mention that she's certified under Ann Cook's American Accent program, having studied under Ann Cook herself.

I know she's already helped a lot of people that were having trouble with their accents, even those with visayan accents.

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by woofers
Hehe. aina_crazy_girl's too modest to mention that she's certified under Ann Cook's American Accent program, having studied under Ann Cook herself.

I know she's already helped a lot of people that were having trouble with their accents, even those with visayan accents.

haha :D

thanks, woofers

yes, it's true.

i have a Master's Certificate and have trained over 200 people already.

en masse and individually.

[Dunedain]

So does one communicating in English with an American accent get a better salary at any job???

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by Dunedain
So does one communicating in English with an American accent get a better salary at any job???

YES! and more chances at getting better jobs.

[Mickey2000]

http://www.boomspeed.com/carolrobert/mickey.gifTell them what accent they want (Brit,Chinese,Japanese,Filipino,Mexican,Cuban,Araba, there's no such thing as American accent, bec here in US 50 different state have 50 different accent as well,plus each individual from any other country have their own accent as well.
btw, konting trivia:
meron ng word na "boondocks" sa english dictionary,nakalagay pa from the tagalog word,bundok,means mountain :D

[Dunedain]

Originally posted by aina_crazy_girl
YES! and more chances at getting better jobs.

Weird. I understand that good oral and written communication in English is an advantage when getting a job in Pinas. I didn't realize that an accent is needed - when did this happen? Was is stated somewhere in the labor code?

This is one of the many very wrong ideas that comes up in the working class of Pinas. I wonder what's next? Get the OC look or something?

[husky150]

Dunedain: Not that I am supporting this bias towards people with the "right" American accent, but in a communications-service-oriented industry such as Call Centers, I suppose they're well within their rights to select applicants whom they feel have the "proper" accents. Yes, it's sad, but it IS a fact that we make subtle assessments of people based on how they look and on how they speak. A good verbal command of English is one thing; the "proper" accent is quite another.

As for looks, one need not look further than the television. Most ad agencies and clients tend to favor talents who look Eurasian or Amerasian. This isn't exclusively a Philippine phenomenon; I've read in industry journals that the same bias happens in places like Thailand, as well. Some clients explain it away by citing the "regional material" argument. A regional material is a commercial that is to be aired all over the Asian region, and thus, the talents they select for these ads are supposed to have a "Pan-Asian" look - one that presumably allows them to pass as Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Pinoy, Singaporean, etc etc.

Anyway...be that as it may, I think most Pinoys still think like "little brown brothers". Or what's the term? Oreos! Brown on the outside, white on the inside.

[husky150]

Originally posted by Mickey2000
http://www.boomspeed.com/carolrobert/mickey.gifTell them what accent they want (Brit,Chinese,Japanese,Filipino,Mexican,Cuban,Araba, there's no such thing as American accent, bec here in US 50 different state have 50 different accent as well,plus each individual from any other country have their own accent as well.


Well-said, Mickey2000, but I think the "American Accent" everyone's referring to is the one we hear on American TV and movies. Ironically enough, it is an accent that is characterized by the very lack of any discernible accent. Not a southern drawl, not a midwestern twang, not a Cajun patois. Regional accents can be quite charming (see how girls swoon over a guy with a marked European accent ) , flabbergasting ( try having a coherent conversation with anyone with a heavy Australian accent or God forbid, an Irish brogue), or yes, affected ( the theatrical British accent wins hands-down here - unless one is ACTUALLY British, and even then, one can speak like a Cockney). But for most intents and purposes - read: mass communications - English with an "american accent" serves as the primary lengua franca.

[Dunedain]

Geez! American accents in call centers. Damn! What a moronic idea. Next you'll know, there are members of Ku Klux Klan (Pinas chapter) working in those places. Most likely, burning crosses, sacrificing animals, and whipping the "jologs" or the unemployed.

With all the media on screen and heard on radio, a lot of folks get carried away with something that is really unnecessary.

What happens when you get a Pinoy surgeon with a redneck accent saying: "Here'sa whut we gonna do...."? Once thing's for certain, I will pump bullets in his brain before he even touches me, with or without his jug of moonshine on his desk. :glee:

[Mickey2000]

http://www.boomspeed.com/carolrobert/mickey.gifThat makes me wonder as well,why they expect Filipino to have this so-called "American Accent" anyway,they work in the Phils,so I expect that most of the customers are Filipino,so why bother to have this accent, I think proper english grammar will be fine,and aside from that they will only intimidate the "masa" customer,so meaning to say they can only entertain the "elite" bec they are the one who can speak proper english as well.
For example, two customers,1 conyo,1 jologs(just to make it simple), have bought the same product w/ the same defect,and since the call center worker will only speak english,the conyo can complain while the jologs will just live with what he got ,It doesn't make any sense,discrimination in the Phils are getting worse and worse. :rolleyes:

[husky150]

I may be wrong, Mickey2000, but I believe that the majority of the local call centers cater to overseas callers, particularly Americans. Since the cost of labor is cheaper here, multinational companies have set up these local call centers to handle inquiries, complaints, and yes, even telemarketing for their American customers. Hence the "need" for this controversial "American accent". I don't even think these American customers are aware that they are talking to some underpaid Asian worker thousands of miles away.

Of course, the best person to answer this is someone who works in a call center. So...anyone?

[annielise]

I don't know, but I guess as long as you speak English clearly (without those annoying "f" and "p" and "b" and "v" defects), no hard-jaw accents, I think that's fine. If someone speaks like Tina Monzon-Palma in a call center, I think she'll be understood pretty well even without the American accent.

I noticed that many Filipinos twist their tongues and eat their words even more when they try so hard to speak like Americans. They interchange "f" and "p" ("ferpect"), they pronounce "Paul" like "Pole" or "law" as "low", "sauce" as "sows" and all those other pronunciation defects. I think the goal should just be to speak English really well without any accent rather than go for the American twang.

[Una_dagmar]

Originally posted by annielise
I don't know, but I guess as long as you speak English clearly (without those annoying "f" and "p" and "b" and "v" defects), no hard-jaw accents, I think that's fine. If someone speaks like Tina Muñoz-Palma in a call center, I think she'll be understood pretty well even without the American accent.

I noticed that many Filipinos twist their tongues and eat their words even more when they try so hard to speak like Americans. They interchange "f" and "p" ("ferpect"), they pronounce "Paul" like "Pole" or "law" as "low", "sauce" as "sows" and all those other pronunciation defects. I think the goal should just be to speak English really well without any accent rather than go for the American twang.

Good point! Furthermore, like I always say, it's different to "think American" as compared to "think like speaking American". It's just a matter of context as to when one should use the accent (if he/she has one). I know that we're Filipinos and generally, we think that Filipinos who use the accent are outright "mayabang". BUT, all of us should keep in mind when and why we should use the accent.

BTW, I hope this turn's out to be a thread that fosters diversity as well as patriotism...

[bongmjr]

AINA...expound more on the american accent training that you offer. Mahal b? What about training kits(cassette preferred), meron k rin? Thanks! :) :) :)

[CoreenRt]

bongmjr, if you're looking for a company that offers american accent training, you may e-mail atcorp@mymail.ph. :)

[SILENTMAX]

sorry just have to post....


"elbows OFF the table"

[thehitman]

Originally posted by Dunedain
Geez! American accents in call centers. Damn! What a moronic idea. Next you'll know, there are members of Ku Klux Klan (Pinas chapter) working in those places. Most likely, burning crosses, sacrificing animals, and whipping the "jologs" or the unemployed.

With all the media on screen and heard on radio, a lot of folks get carried away with something that is really unnecessary.

What happens when you get a Pinoy surgeon with a redneck accent saying: "Here'sa whut we gonna do...."? Once thing's for certain, I will pump bullets in his brain before he even touches me, with or without his jug of moonshine on his desk. :glee:

A lot of call centers here in the Philippines cater to US-based clients. One such call center is PeopleSupport. All of our clients are US-based, so naturally, most of their customers are Americans. Language barriers prevent CSRs from performing their duties well, which is why they are given American accent training. You have absolutely no idea how arrogant Americans can get. If they speak with someone with a thick accent, and they can't communicate well with that person, they raise their voices, give the poor rep a mouthful, then demand to speak with an American CSR. Hence, the need for american accent. And yes, the accent that is taught to the reps is the accent that is used on TV, especially in news channels.

:cool:

[Dunedain]

Originally posted by thehitman
A lot of call centers here in the Philippines cater to US-based clients. One such call center is PeopleSupport. All of our clients are US-based, so naturally, most of their customers are Americans. Language barriers prevent CSRs from performing their duties well, which is why they are given American accent training. You have absolutely no idea how arrogant Americans can get. If they speak with someone with a thick accent, and they can't communicate well with that person, they raise their voices, give the poor rep a mouthful, then demand to speak with an American CSR. Hence, the need for american accent. And yes, the accent that is taught to the reps is the accent that is used on TV, especially in news channels.

:cool:

Whoah! I didn't realize that one working in call centers can get easily intimidated with anyone (who calls in) with an American accent. And I deal with them every single day but I still have bits and pieces of Pinoy accent in my English and they clearly comprehend what I'm stating. Accents doesn't make one equal against the next guy who speaks in any accent - American, British, Scottish, Irish, Australian, etc. Clarity in communication (pronounciation or speech) and the subject at hand is the main thing of concern - never the accent. Next thing I might encounter is a Pinoy with an American accent but does not know what he/she is talking about. Why does a native Pinoy try so hard to match with their American counterparts in delivering news in the Philippines when their viewers are also Pinoys in the Philippines? Status symbol? Show everyone that they can communicate with an American accent? It is not necessary. Delivering the news clearly is good enough. People don't care about accents. They care about the news. Ever thought of that? :rolleyes:

[thehitman]

People don't care about accents? Have you ever tried speaking with 80-90 different Americans per night? I tell you, accents matter a lot to a lot of Americans. And in our line of business, the more american-sounding we are, the better our lives. And in the case of two of our biggest clients, we got the contract specifically because we could produce and utilize reps who can speak with an american accent. We got the contract over some other competitors who employ Indians (who use British english).

:cool:

[Dunedain]

Originally posted by thehitman
People don't care about accents? Have you ever tried speaking with 80-90 different Americans per night? I tell you, accents matter a lot to a lot of Americans. And in our line of business, the more american-sounding we are, the better our lives. And in the case of two of our biggest clients, we got the contract specifically because we could produce and utilize reps who can speak with an american accent. We got the contract over some other competitors who employ Indians (who use British english).

:cool:

80-90? Only? I deal with more than that in-house alone. That's from the top to the rest of team or the rest of the studio. That doesn't include those who calls in from the publisher. Seriously, this has been taken way over the top unnnecessarily. I deal with folks coming from different countries who can speak English yet I converse with these guys without an accent. You know what they call folks speaking in English without an accent? Educated. Clarity in communication where every word and eash syllable pronounce clearly so as the next guy can understand each pronounced word. Accent? Cripes. I get through our toughest programmers with strong Southern accents without even going for heavier vocabulary nor an accent - it's called simplicity in communication. Direct, concise, clear - every word understood (by the next person or even those who are eaves-dropping). No bull on accents, no fancy schmancy flowery words that would involve anyone go into an involutary protein spill - in short, throw up. Besides, have you no faith on your own mode of communication that you're accustomed to since birth that you gave it up so as it has to be in an American accent? I've dealt with Germans, Swiss and Italians flying in PI in the family business that I don't need to have an accent. Why? Every word pronounced is clear and simply understood - no accents whatsoever. One thing I've learned from this thread, those who jump into the American accent learning system lacks self confidence to communicate with the next person who speaks English when it's been the 1st language in the Philippine society ever since WWII - that's more than 50 years. You know what really needs to be learned than the accent? Speech and vocabulary - it makes the person diverse.

As for the Indians with British accent, it's have been that way for quite sometime - back in the days when Pinas was invaded by the Brits during the time of the Spaniards, better known as The Rape of Manila. I suppose later on, Pinoys who jumps into the limey Liverpool accent play croquet and lawn bowling.

[thehitman]

Wish it were that simple. When clients require you to have american accent, what choice do we have? Good for you then, that you don't get irate callers. As for our reps, we really get a lot of callers getting irritated when the accent is a bit thick, even though it's clear and audible. They really demand to speak with an american, and we have no choice but to transfer them to one.

I don't know about the others, but here in PS, american accent is not a status symbol...it's a necessity. Clients give our training dept (headed by an American) a mouthful when they barge in on reps and hear their not-exactly-american accent, even though the grammar, sentence structure, voice quality, etc., are fine. That's why american accent training is part of the curriculum. Reps cannot go live on the floor without possessing a satisfactory accent. We can never fully eliminate the Filipino twang, but at least we reach a level where most of the twang is gone, so sometimes, our customers just mistake it for an accent in another state (I am aware that even among US states, there are subtle differences in the accents, although it becomes significant as you go south), or, just ignore it altogether.

I don't really believe that an american accent will give the ordinary Juan access to higher paying jobs, but in the call center business, an american accent is an advantage at the very least, and a necessity at most.

:cool:

[Dunedain]

I wonder what's going to be leaned next in the business community? Euphemisms? That happens - I'll die laughing. Wait. "Die" is such a direct word that no one wants to relate to due to fear of death. I'll switch that to "pass away", or "expire" just like a magazine subscription; if it happens in the hospital, I can call it "a terminal episode" and the insurance company can refer it as a "negative patient outcome", and if it's due to a medical malpractice, it can be labelled as "therapeutic misadventure". :glee:

[f0r5aK3n]

While at work, at the floor, or wherever in the workplace, is Tagalog barred? Do you have to speak English anywhere in the workplace?

[aina_crazy_girl]

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
While at work, at the floor, or wherever in the workplace, is Tagalog barred? Do you have to speak English anywhere in the workplace?

YUP!

if you are caught, you're gonna get suspended.

for three consecutive days!

you cant even email in tagalog!

[f0r5aK3n]

geez.. might as well make the Philippines the 51st state....

This is just wrong. I agree with Dunedain in this matter.

[thehitman]

Huh? I thought we were discussing the accent?

:cool:

[husky150]

Guys, come on. Let's face it: there are some jobs that have very specific requirements. As a flawed analogy, let's take modeling for example. There are very specific physical requirements to be a model, and say what you will about physical discrimination, a 4'11" person with bad skin and rotting teeth would have as much chance of making it in the modeling industry as a snowflake in Hell. There are exceptions of course, but we're talking about the rule here.

Unfortunately, as someone already pointed out earlier, much of the local call centers' business caters to American customers, who apparently insist on speaking with someone they can understand. I don't think it's a matter of residual colonialism or anything like that: the job requires people who speak with the controversial "American accent". It should be that simple. When a tone-deaf artista has delusions about a singing career, do we not howl in protest and derision? Why? Because the boob is eminently unqualified for the job. I think the same goes for call center aspirants with thick, heavy, un-American (there we go again) accents. You can howl and rage and cry "Foul!", but if they're unqualified for the job, then they're unqualified.

'Nuff said. For now, anyway :D

[f0r5aK3n]

Originally posted by thehitman
Huh? I thought we were discussing the accent?

:cool:

i know... i got carried away.. :lol: mah bad... back to the American accent discussion....

hmmm.. anyone born and raised in Manila would have no trouble speaking English. Even with a Filipino accent, they would be very, very understandable. I agree that it would be a totally different scenario if the so-called Filipino employee grew up in the provinces where their dialect doesn't necessarily translate to a better sounding English. BUT, speaking slowly and enunciating your words would nullify that.

[Dunedain]

Originally posted by aina_crazy_girl
YUP!

if you are caught, you're gonna get suspended.

for three consecutive days!

you cant even email in tagalog!

What is that? High school? People's arms are twisted behind their backs if they don't learn the accent? Jeez H. Cripes! So when does applications start for cross burnings, and animal sacrifices? The irony of things in Pinas is that we try to establish our own identity to be recognized by those outside. Apparently, people (and the company that they represent) have lost their self-confidence at language and accents that they now have resorted to a foreign way of speaking. No wonder majority have lost their self-respect on their own soil in terms of representing themselves as citizens of the nation they live in through means of communication. I wonder when such an idea like accents be included in the PHILIPPINE LABOR CODE (which obviously will not happen)?

By the way, since when did a text message (e-mail, phone texts, instant messengers, etc.) have to be stuck with English only? Do they check every e-mail sent? What is that? Prison? Communists? I don't suppose an employee of a call center needs to ask permission from their supervisors just to take a leak, eh?

[Dunedain]

Originally posted by husky150
Guys, come on. Let's face it: there are some jobs that have very specific requirements. As a flawed analogy, let's take modeling for example. There are very specific physical requirements to be a model, and say what you will about physical discrimination, a 4'11" person with bad skin and rotting teeth would have as much chance of making it in the modeling industry as a snowflake in Hell. There are exceptions of course, but we're talking about the rule here.

Unfortunately, as someone already pointed out earlier, much of the local call centers' business caters to American customers, who apparently insist on speaking with someone they can understand. I don't think it's a matter of residual colonialism or anything like that: the job requires people who speak with the controversial "American accent". It should be that simple. When a tone-deaf artista has delusions about a singing career, do we not howl in protest and derision? Why? Because the boob is eminently unqualified for the job. I think the same goes for call center aspirants with thick, heavy, un-American (there we go again) accents. You can howl and rage and cry "Foul!", but if they're unqualified for the job, then they're unqualified.

'Nuff said. For now, anyway :D

My debate from the very start was about establishing our (Pinoy) identity without the use of accents. I've encountered too many folks back home speaking English with (and without) accents but mispronounce some words, and in worse situations, wrong spelling. In some hilarious situations (where I find myself in a muffled laughter), there are those who'd even dress up like Eskimos but walks about in a country lying in the tropics. Face it, we have a regional defect on the English language and it should be accepted as a norm. For many years, we have tried to establish a Pinoy identity in so many aspects of our culture yet it has hardly progressed. The progress alone now is being hampered even more by the use of accent, and the irony of it all, people complain why doesn't the country's situation improved.

[bongmjr]

Babyfats is right...it's not really wanting an american accent, but rather needing it. Had these call centers not dictated an american accent as major requirement for prospective c.c. agents, then this thread would not exist in the first place. It all boils down to us Pinoys really wanting badly a highpaying job, and this is what call centers can offer. Just plain economics.

[angelbutterfly]

I'm a trainer for a call center in Makati. Honestly, we don't really expect you to have an American accent. We want a neutralized accent. Lets face it, we filipinos have thick accent making it difficult for americans to understand.

The reason that we impose to have an English speaking zone whenever your in the office premises, as stated above, if we think in tagalog and translate it the reaction time will be slower. Also, sometimes we tend to respond in filipino interjections which is a big no no.

Most clients forbid that the customers should know that they've outsourced their cs facility. I'm stating a few reasons.

1.) A lot of Americans are big on stuff about patriotism thus outsourcing would mean anti-american since it generates fewer jobs for them and more to foreigners.

2.) It's one way to prevent racist remarks.

3.) It's purely business strategy.

I think we should all go easy on call centers. I mean before you sign that contract, you are aware of your job accountabilities and key competencies that it requires.

[otakusenshi]

Hehe, i remember one time, i had a call, well, obviously, he is an american and he speaks so much about his country...

He kept on asking me if i'm canadian, i said "NO?!" but in the back of my mind (do i sound one :D hyuk hyuk hyuk!!!) then he kept on mentioning different countries like england (wish i have their accent) malaysia until he ended up india and still said no. I asked him: "does it matter?"

And he said Yes, we americans doesn't want to be taught by any other fellowmen... etc... etc... basta para ang gusto niyang palabasin eh... sila daw ayaw nilang tinituruan ng ibang lahi kasi nakakababa daw ng tingin sa kanila... hehehe (totoo naman nakakababa ng tingin sila eh, simpleng paggamit ng cellphone tinatwag pa sa amin!)

[mikeabundo]

It's all about telepresence. When in Rome -- physically or virtually -- do as the Romans do. :)

[ramena]

Originally posted by Mickey2000
there's no such thing as American accent, bec here in US 50 different state have 50 different accent as well,plus each individual from any other country have their own accent as well.


yup, there's no "american accent" per se...but what we've been taught during my short stint as a call center agent is that we should learn STANDARD AMERICAN ENGLISH. this is the one used by newscasters in the US.

based on experience, you can really acquire the "american accent" as soon as you get to talk to americans day-in and day-out. most of my batch, when we started, had "normal" accents but we developed "the accent" :) as soon as we got on board.

if you really want to acquire it without working at a call center, keep watching the american sitcoms (i recommend those at studio 23) and practice daily...yeah, i agree, you have to think like a talking american! :)

[Una_dagmar]

I'd really like to commend my co-agents in the call center industry. "Accentwise", we're the best. It may be the case that labor is cheaper in India and China, but if our American clients look for quality service (which all of them do), they could always rely on us Pinoys.

I remember when my first accent trainer gave us a sample of his american accent vs. his pinoy english. It does have a lot of difference to "fake it". It's just a matter of knowing when and why to use your american accent.

[advancement]

I prefer an Indian accent... especially the ones from Kerala.

[f0r5aK3n]

I wonder if a black-owned firm that caters primarily to African-Americans would prefer an Ebonics dialect with an ebonics accent for their customer service Reps.

[gumacanian]

I speak the queens English..You know,,,Really posh!! How would the yanks get on with that?? Would I get paid more?? I mean a Hugh Grant soundalike has got to be worth a few more bucks right?? Or am I barking up the wrong tree??