Scene I
+++++
Kola: Ben, what’s your favourite Apple product?
Ben: I gotta say, the iPod.
Kola: The iPad?
Ben: No, not the iPad. The iPoood. [Pronounced as “iPaaad”]
Kola: What? You like that new product?
Ben: No, you’re not listening. I mean the iPod, the iPod; the small one that fits into your breast pocket. That one you’re holding.
Kola: Oh, the iPawd, you mean.
Ben: What is that? iPawd?
Kola: Well, the way you’re pronouncing it, I couldn’t tell the difference between when you say iPod and when you say iPad. Can you say “iPod,” this time in English?
Ben: Good God, you’re terrible.
Kola: Don’t you mean “Good Gawd?”
******************
Scene II
++++++
Kola: Hello, am I speaking with the Apple representative? I made an online order of the new iPad.
Operator: Oh nice. I’m here to help you. Was it the iPod classic or the iPod touch?
Kola: Does it come in those options?
Operator: Yes. The Classic comes in 160GB, 120GB and 80GB types…
Kola: I think you’re getting me wrong. I mean the iPad.
Operator: I got you right. You want the iPod, right?
Kola: Yes, and I’m told it has come to knock the Kindle off its lazy ass.
Operator: [Silence.]
Kola: Hellooo.
Operator: Yes. There must have been a mistake. Did you say you want the iPad or the iPod?
Kola: From what you just said, I really can’t tell them apart. Maybe you should please let me speak with someone who speaks English.
Operator: Good Gaad!
Kola: [Click]
******************
PS: None of these conversations has taken place, as far as I know. But I won’t bet against the possibility that they are taking place right now in parts of the United States, especially between Nigerians and Americans.
1
Ehi_remen at http://YourWebsite
Ha ha ha…good stuff….lol
Posted at January 28, 2010 on 2:40pm.
2
Clarissa at http://clarissasbox.blogspot.com
I think this entire IPod/IPad thing is one huge conspiracy against us, people-with-weird-foreign-accents. Like life wasn’t hard enough to begin with. 🙂
Posted at January 28, 2010 on 3:00pm.
3
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
Lol
Posted at January 28, 2010 on 10:01pm.
4
Clarissa at http://clarissasbox.blogspot.com
I’ve always had this huge problem with the word “focus.” For some weird reason, I pronounce it like “f*ck us.” And for some other weird reason, I used it 5 times in my job talk. The whole audience would be jolted out of their naps every time I would say it.
I hope my choice of language is not too offensive. I tried to mask it as well as I could.
Posted at January 28, 2010 on 3:02pm.
5
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
Oh my! That must have been a talk to listen to 🙂 At least, you recognize the bright side: it keeps people awake when you need it to.
I remember trying to impress Yvonne, the German Professor who shares my office, with the little German I know, last week. I had menitoned “nase” for nose, and she looked at me strangely. I repeated it a few more times before she got it. “Oh nase,” she said. “I thought you said Nazi”.
Lol
Posted at January 28, 2010 on 6:58pm.
6
Sula at http://YourWebsite
I have the same problem with the word “beach”… Apparently, I pronounce it like “bitch” (which is possible because both sound exactly the same to my ears! ) 🙂
It’s definitely a conspiracy about non-native English speakers. lol!
Posted at February 25, 2010 on 9:01pm.
7
Azazel at http://YourWebsite
Lol it is a serious possibility lol
Posted at January 29, 2010 on 2:30am.
8
Naijababee at http://cogitations-on-the-web.blogspot.com/
I can see this happening everytime…even worse with the Scots and the people in the North
Posted at January 29, 2010 on 2:55am.
9
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
You are right!
Posted at February 11, 2010 on 7:36am.
10
toyin at http://lamikayty.com
I had read that a few people would mix-up the pronunciation of the 2 products, I had just never imagined my own accent would be in the mix! Amazing and funny too!
Posted at February 5, 2010 on 6:23am.
11
Kola Tubosun at http://www.ktravula.com
Thank you Toyin,
Posted at February 11, 2010 on 7:37am.