Was he racist?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-116209 9/I-dont-speak-Glaswegian-Labour-chief-racism- row-Can-translate-remark-Scottish-activist.htm l

The English are once again accused of racism this time by our fellow Britain's.

Why don't they all talk English,''Like what we do'

[SK.news.DE]

It was probably more to do with English arrogance, pretending not to understand. I have heard Lanarkshire people speak, they are very clear and concise.

[craft1948]

I'm sorry news but I disagree - I personally do struggle with people's accents. I was once on a training course with a girl from Dundee and one from Cardiff and could hardly understand a word they said yet they could understand each other perfectly well!!
The geordie accent I just give up on...
I am english but in no way arrogant - I just do not have an ear for accents.

[craft1948]

and if anyone is being racist it's you referring to English people as arrogant...

[tiggerblue10]

I sometimes find it hard to understand some accents so does that make me racist?

[anotheoldgit]

Well yes where does this end, I have spoken to many call centres, since they have become the 'norm', and one can find oneself speaking to persons of all nationalities.

I have been known on many occasions admitting that I could not understand what the person was saying and could they put me in contact with someone who I could understand.

Blimey at this moment there could be umpteen accusations against me for racism.

But then what's new?

[gelda]

Why do geordies always refer to themselves as 'us' surely 'us' is plural ie, more than one person, not having a go at geordies, just wondered why.

[123everton]

It's a case of po faced politicking.
I struggle with some accents and some people struggle with mine.
A poor choice of words an apology should suffice.

[paraffin]

I don't have a so-called BBC accent and have always had a regional accent which I've had to "modify" over the years in order for certain people to understand properly what I'm saying.

Nevertheless, I never speak in my "true style" unless with those from my "neck of the woods", for the simple reason that I only have to reiterate what I've just said.

There are many regional accents throughout the UK and the Scots accent is certainly not the only one which some people have difficulty understanding.

But this was no "racist" incident. Had the remarks been made to Ms Harman and colleagues by anyone with strong Geordie, Brummie, Scouse, Welsh, Irish or cockney accents, would she/they have struggled to comprehend what was being said? You bet they would !!!

A storm in a teacup, no more than that - at best !

[Gormless]

I can't see the problem here. The Scots have struggled for years to speak properly, in words that the rest of the civilised word can understand. It has mainly worked, with a translation system spearheaded by Ant 'N Dec the noo, but fundamentally the Scots need to be educated.

[BillySugger]

Give em independance then everyone's happy .

[birdie1971]

I'm so sick of people misusing and misunderstanding language. This is NOT racism. For a start the English are not a 'race'. The Scots are not a 'race', etc. The Irish, English, Scots, Welsh, French, Germans, etc. are Caucasian. Caucasian is the 'race'.

This is someone saying 'Your accent is so broad that I do not understand what you are saying�.

Being unable to understand what someone is saying is not and can never be racist.


For someone to turn this around and shout racism is to misunderstand the word and misunderstand the English language.

[Joy11]

fao craft, don't give up on Geordies pet, we are canny y'knaa lol

[Joy11]

not sure what you mean Gelda, I'm a Geordie and I am trying to think of something where I would say us instaed of I when referring to me....lol, if you know what I mean

[gelda]

I've noticed it on tv quite a few times like Val on Emmerdale for instance, she always says things like ' give us a drink ' rather than ' give me a drink ' Just wondered !

[Sweep2k]

Failing to understand a foreign call centre worker isn't racist.

The thing is, the people who claim to be unable to understand them tend to be wilfully failing to do so - or at least applying absolutely no patience. They relish the opportunity to be uppity and rude about it.

It's the same as when people claim they can't understand directions from supermarket staff. Of course you can. You'd have to be an idiot not to.

So, in summary - not racist. Just rude, grumpy or stupid.