Struggling with really strong accents at work

[Moirarosesgarden]

A pre-note that I know this is my issue and not that of the person involved but just after some advice.

A new person has just joined the team at work but they have a very strong accent. English is their second language and I just really struggle to understand it in meetings. Most meetings are on Teams and no one else seems to be struggling to understand them.

I have tried turning on the captions but as the accent is so strong, it is not picking up many words either and there is a time delay on them too. I am slightly hard of hearing and so feel it’s me rather than them, but likewise I can understand others, even those with other accents. Does anyone have any tips on how I can manage this without offending them?

I think the fact that you are hard of hearing is an issue. I wear hearing aids and is a definite thing.

My DF has been saying this for years and I poo-pooed it, however I totally get what he was on about.

Unfortunately the only way I have found to deal with it is to let them think me a batty old woman (something I can get away with easily 😀) and say I'm hard of hearing and to slow down.

Explain to your LM too, they need to get on board.

I have someone I find difficult to understand. After awhile you tend to get your ear in with the issue and it's ok, but I work from home most of the time and don't work directly with them, even though we are in the same team, so am still struggling to hear what they are saying.

I have hearing loss and I struggle massively. I work in a diverse ethnic area and a lot of people either have difficult to understand accents and/or English isn't their first language.

One of my employers asked me the other day if I had a hearing aid. I do, I've had my hearing aid for 17 years and I've worked there for 14 years and never made a secret of it. My hearing is also getting worse and as everyone is so noisy my hearing aid doesn't help.

Can I ask what is her first language? It does make a difference not only accentwise but in some language certain letters are pronounced differently, it is easier if you know those little things.

I believe Indian (probably South Indian according to Google based on her name so may not be right!)

With respect, how is it your issue? If you're not fluent in their native tongue, how can you possibly be expected to understand them? English as a second language or not, if the accent is thick, that's bound to make things difficult. I struggle to understand Gerald from Clarkson's Farm. I have a colleague at my work who is Brazilian, so their native tongue is Portuguese.Their accent isn't too thick, but boy do they sound drunk when they speak. Their English is good, but the accent is tough sometimes.

I would not go there if I were you...

Your employer decided to give this person a job and that their English was good and clear enough for them to be understood.

Do you have the correct hearing aids?

I would mention to your manager that you are having issues with your hearing and ask whether it is possible to always have notes taken at the meeting you attend that can then be shared with you as a reasonable adjustment or for you to record the meetings so you can go through the conversation again if needed.

Rather than relate this to a single colleague which won't go down well.

I used to work for a company in London that had an office in Glasgow and most of us understood only half of what our Scottish colleagues were saying when we had team meetings with them...the trick I found was to communicate with them by email as a follow up to the meetings and find diplomatic ways to clarify the stuff I had missed.

It is not always just the issue of someone having English as a second language...

I think you will start to find the accent easier to understand over time. In my previous role I had real difficulties understanding some of the clients as they had strong accents with English as a second language.

You do start to get used to them the more you interact. I found some trickier than others but explained that I had difficulty with my ears and that made it less uncomfortable all round.
Well, unless they just thought I was the deaf old boot at the desk but nobody ever appeared insulted or frustrated by my inability to understand them on occasion.

If you can maybe figure out the first language watching some YouTubers with the same 1st language may help you to pick up on some of it?

You're not supposed to understand Gerald @VolvoFan !!🤣

I had this year's ago when I moved to an area with a very strong regional accent. I couldn't understand my assistant for ages and was so embarrassed having to constantly ask her to repeat everything. But as PPs have said, you do get your ear in eventually and now I have no problems at all. I did have to really concentrate for a while though.

I have hearing loss and struggle a lot with accents.
I asked the audiologist if this is a 'thing' relating to hearing loss and was told that yes, it can be.
I don't have any answers unfortunately. I just want to say its not just you and I understand how awkward it can be.