Member
How Do You Identify?: Altocalciphilic
Preferred Pronoun?: Papa Smurf
Relationship Status: Curmudgeonous spinster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: London (but from Belfast)
Posts: 678
Thanks: 471
Thanked 3,654 Times in 602 Posts
Rep Power: 21474852
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My primary language is English but with a strong Northern Irish (or "Norn Iron") dialect and accent. This would be much harsher than the softer, lilting brogue associated with many parts of southern Ireland.
My accent, more than the language I speak, is an important part of my identity as "Place" is incredibly important to me and my accent identifies where I'm from and who I am.
I also speak some Irish language, although unfortunately cannot write it. It is a beautiful language that I would be able to speak better. Otherwise, some knowledge of Mandarin, French & German but have no inclination to increase my understanding or proficiency of these.
My twin brother is fluent in 14 languages, including Japanese. He never studied Japanese but picked it up when working for a Japanese company in the UK after graduating. He subsequently completed his MBA in Tokyo in Japanese and it's now essentially his first language as it is the language he uses in his home with his Japanese wife and their family. Needless to say, I never had the same talent for languages.
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