Is mimicking a dialect politically incorrect?

[ckay87]

My DS (12) does a seemingly-accurate copy of a middle-eastern dialect. It's so difficult to do and his is so perfect that it's funny. Really funny.

But it occurred to me - maybe I shouldn't be laughing. What do you think?

Then I thought...if he were doing Irish, English, even Southern just as perfectly, it would be just as funny.

We always practiced different dialects when we were kids. What's the PC status of this nowadays - funny or offensive?

 

[snoopy]

I sure hope not. I've been mimicking my Nigerian tenant all morning long telling me I'm a "big fat girl now!" (see related thread).

I do not think its politically incorrect unless one is doing it to be malicious.

 

[Buckalew11]

I hope not too. I am forever doing this with DD. I don't do it to make fun or anything malicious--just do it because I think I'm good at it!
My nieces and nephews love it when I do this!

You should hear my southern accent.

 

['Canes Fan]

What's the PC status of this nowadays - funny or offensive?

why are you so worried about being PC? in your own words, you're jeopardizing your very own sense of humor. so now you're going to shut that down in fear of insulting someone? that's what has brought about the whole PC movement. no one has a sense of humor anymore.

 

[grinningghost]

I don't see why it should be. I've had people mimicking my "Buffalo accent" all my life - I have relatives in Toronto that think we talk REALLY weird. It never bothered me, I always thought they talked weirder anyway.

 

[Ronda93]

Would he do it in front of someone from the middle east? If not, then it's just exploiting a stereotype. If that's okay, then it's okay.

 

[va32h]

My DS (12) does a dead-on copy of a middle-eastern dialect. It's so difficult to do and his is so perfect that it's funny. Really funny.

I guess my question is why is it funny? Because people who speak english with a foreign accent are funny? I don't think it matters whether it is "PC" or not - if the intent is to mock the way other people speak, then it isn't very nice.

What Middle-Eastern dialect? Is it a specific dialect or just a generic "Apu from the Simpsons" affectation? Because I doubt it would be a "dead-on copy" to someone from whatever region you are poking fun at. Unless of course you have spent a great deal of time with people from this particular region and have studied their inflection, language, tone?

I just never have thought that talking with a fake foreign accent was, in itself, humorous. I wouldn't necessarily consider you to be prejudiced or "un-PC" for doing so, I just wouldn't think it was funny.

 

[ckay87]

If not, then it's just exploiting a stereotype. If that's okay, then it's okay.

Well, see, that's what I was afraid of, then I thought...how is it different than doing a British dialect? Is that exploiting a stereotype? If a Middle Eastern woman got a chuckle over mimicking my dialect, would that be stereotyping?

I don't know - that's why it's not cut and dry anymore.

 

[scrump]

I guess it depends on the situation, really. I'm Asian-American, I've had a lot of people mimicking what they think is a "dead on" accent (usually a generic ching chang chong combination), and they think it's funny. Of course, they rarely speak whatever language they're mimicking, so it's pure gibberish, and it's hilarious sounding to them. Not the same as imitating a Southern or Irish accent, in my opinion, as you clearly speak the language you are "mimicking".

Personally, I don't care for overly restrictive PC, just telling you what my experiences have been. If your son feels comfortable performing those imitations in front of ANYBODY, then go for it.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

We have been known to end every sentence with the word "eh" in honor of our Canadian neighbors. Never meant any harm about it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they do the same with my saying "ya'll".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've done too plays where I've mimicked a british accent and a southern uneducated accent/dialect.

It sounds funny--b/c when you are accustomed to speaking one way--and then all of a sudden...a dead on sound comes from their voice...it's funny.


If your son can do this and other accents well.....

I was reading an article about Kyra Sedgwick---the question was if she was from the south...nope..she's from New York--and dialect coaches...called it something...but basically she can pick up any dialect b/c she just has the ear for it...and it was equated to a musician with perfect pitch.

He might be able to have some fun with his talent.

The only stink over an accent that I ever heard about was when Renee Zellweggar (sp?) got cast as Bridget Jones....but mostly b/c it was thought that a Brit should play the part. Harry Potter casts only Brits--no perfect mimicking permitted. .

I don't know what any of this has to do with the price of tea in China....but it's my take...and no I don't think it is policitally incorrect...unless he is copying an individual on purpose to poke fun and to just be mean.

 

[ckay87]

It sounds funny--b/c when you are accustomed to speaking one way--and then all of a sudden...a dead on sound comes from their voice...it's funny.

That's it - that's exactly why it's funny. I couldn't put my finger on it because I absolutely 100% know that none of us (DS or I) mean to "make fun" in a mean way. It's just like...all of a sudden...he's someone else.


BTW, I did talk to him about being careful doing that - it could offend people who don't understand that you are not trying to be mean.