A Typical American Woman Abroad?
Filed Under: On Friday, I had my first recording gig in Vilnius, Lithuania. I played “a typical American woman abroad” in a local radio advertisement.
“So what does a typical American woman abroad sound like?” you ask.
The script:
’Scuse me!! Where’s the McDonaaaalds?! Oh my gaaawd! No one speaks English!
My first attempt fell a little flat. In response, the recording directors offered me some helpful – if not amusing – advice on how to sound more authentically American:
Act in horror that no one speaks English. It’s a real shock to you. Can you be a bit more bitchy…perhaps a bit more blond?
To their credit, the young Lithuanian directors soft-shoed their cues to me on how to be “more American” – almost to the point of apology. They distanced themselves from the direction, implying that they were just doing their jobs. And they made a point of repeatedly assuring me that they didn’t think of Americans in this way.
But somebody certainly did.
I wasn’t offended. I know well the stereotype of Americans abroad. And our readers know already that one of our goals as we travel around the world is to act as citizen diplomats; to use our interactions with local people to present a different image of America than what is broadcast in Hollywood movies, on the news…and on Lithuanian radio.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Where’s the audio? Let’s here what an American REALLY sounds like.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I’m working on getting the audio track and will be sure to post it. Poll idea: “Does Audrey really sound American?”
September 16th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I love it! I often fear I sound a bit scared when I ask “Hol van WC”? Steven recently asked me why I use a little soft voice when I talk to Hungarians. I think I am afraid of sounding too bitchy so I try to sound polite which sounds little and small. I am working on it…
If the Lithuanian directors need a backup person, give my name;)
September 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’ll see if these guys have contacts in Budapest – maybe you can be the American voice in Budapest! I’m laughing thinking of your little mouse voice when you speak to Hungarians : )
I understand though – sometimes I also overcompensate and lower my voice. Then locals ask, “huh? can you speak up?” As with everything, the happy medium is the way to go.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I didn’t sound American enough in the sound clip I had to do for a Chilean language institute, either, and had to be coached. Apparently on my own I’m not enthusiastic enough, and not enough uptalk. Go figure. The best part was hearing my directors model what they wanted me to say, and flail their arms wildly. Dudes, it’s a RADIO spot.
Glad you had fun!
March 21st, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@eileen: How funny that you had a similar experience! The Lithuanian guys were also giving me their impressions, which was quite amusing. I didn’t have as much arm flailing though, but that might be the difference between South America and Europe