Your perception of the Polish accent

The only time I ever criticise a Polish accent speaking English is when my flatmate tells me that my Polish accent is really bad. I try to point out that he only has six different vowel sounds when in English we're supposed to have about twelve, and that's not counting dipthongs. Counting dipthongs? Sounds like something to do with checking how much underwear has been washed!

I actully know what they are:) what about glides;)

Depends a bit. I like the accent of my lady (of course:) ) and she laughs a bit about my Dutch accent. You see Polish ppl make typical little errors that give them away: "I take bus", "I'll have apple" plus some others like "I liked" instead of "I like it" or -and this is really a common error- "I thing" instead of "I think". They seem to have the biggest problems with the subject in a sentense: I hardly hear them say a, an, the and if they do, it's a lot of times: "I take this bus', when they mean to say "I take the bus". But like said, it depends; if a hot blonde speaks with a Polish accent it's of course much sexier than when a neanderthalic construction worker does so :) Also, I find that if guys speak with a Polish accent, it somehow sounds more like a Russian accent to me, but that could be me.

M-G

I think Polish accents are hottt...so do most people I know
When I spoke Polish with my accent, the Poles told me it was cute=P and I would use English phrases but translate them into Polish haha

I teach students from around the world who are using English as a language in addition to their native language. They all have an accent based on their native language. I think I and many others don't think a thing about accents. And what indeed is an American accent? People in one part of the country have an accent quite different than others.

8 (and that's not counting diphthongs)

People are naturally hard-wired to find differences attractive to some degree (to facilitate gene flow), so accents (especially unfamiliar or uncommon ones) will almost always be a plus on the dating side. How it works in other areas of life is a different question. The accent that makes a Polish girl popular at a party might keep her from getting a job where accent is important (like a receptionist).

Also, people are fundamentally irrational about accents. There's no objective reason why particular accents (whether native or foreign) arouse particular feelings. It's all stereotypes and custom. I'd rather rinse my ears out with battery acid than listen to a Manchester accent for long periods of time but I recognize that that's just prejudice and I'd try to not let my asthetic judgement cloud how I treated a person with such an accent. But that's easier said than done.

I hardly hear Polish accents anymore unless it's really extreme.

For most people in the US any Slavic sounding accent (if it's very strong) has features that combined sound a little silly in serious environments like work or politics (this is the Borat syndrome). On the other hand, the Polish accent is much less "Slavic sounding" than Russian or Czech accents.

OMG,not just me then,its that whiny non noise made between real words,sometimes you would swear it could shatter a wine glass :)

Hehehe, they seem immune to it here but I must've missed the booster deadline. I got my windows insured against their squawking. Seriously tho, it cuts right through me sometimes. I have to ignore it as best I can.

The accent generally is fine, no big problems with it

Poles should not teach English to anyone above beginner level.
I occasionally teach people who have been taught by Poles and their accent is woeful (as is the teacher's knowledge of English way too often).

I really cant agree with that. I have met and worked with many polish teachers of english whose language abilities were fantastic. More often than not, their teaching abilities were a dammed sight better than the average CELTA grad too

I agree with yah......;), I just hope you are not teaching them sshpelling:)

Agreed mate.
Re accents though, Dont worry about it,thats what makes the world interesting,as long as your words are understandable who cares.
One thing I find as a native english speaker is that generaly when it comes to accents,or,pining down someones countyry of origin rather, with blokes I can tell the difference between a Pole and a Russian speaking English but with women its much more subtle.

I like the Polish accent aswell as the Russian. They both sound very nice.
They have some kind of magic.

The really disturbing thing is when someone says "Eastern European accent" (or "Central European accent"). There is no such thing. I have a so-called "Eastern European" accent as well, but for my ear, the Polish accent sounds funny when they say things like "mornying", "trainying", "finyish".

Also, the error MareGaea mentioned (the omission of definite/indefinite articles, e.g. "I go to bank") is a "feature" of Slavonian English-speakers only. :)

There is a perception that there is - this guy for example is based on the actor Béla Lugosi who was Hungarian.
There is a Latvian guy at my work who sounds just like him !