Comedy with an Accent

One of the fastest rising stars selling out venues across European cities, Sri Lankan born Vidura spent his childhood, his teenage years and his young adulthood in small chunks of time in different countries, Vidura is a globe-trotter. To him, Berlin sometime feels more like home than Colombo. In the final episode of the first season of this podcast, Vidura is our perfect guest to illustrate how conventional definitions of "homeland", "mother tongue" no longer make senses to the globally mobile young population. An accent that cannot be easily located. Having lived in the United States and reading mostly in English, at times Vidura feels like English is more like his most fluent language, similar to lots of young immigrants who move to big cities for a brighter future, better career and a fun life, Unsurprisingly, these are also the bulk of Vidura's dedicated audience. A thinker and a prolific reader, Vidura sheds light on his cultural commentary approach to comedy and why he only write jokes that he has emotional attachments to or from ideas he has been mulling over in his head. ---------------------------------Follow Vidura on Instagram and his websiteFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------00:54 Intro02:45 The infamous Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka (no relations to Vidura)04:02 Vidura's weird mixed/ Netflix accent05:37 Sinhala and other languages in Sri Lanka06:59 Moving between USA and Sri Lanka and Vidura's first language10:46 Do British people ask Vidura about his accent?12:31 Vidura's audience's profile13:49 Vidura's unique perspective because of his life journey15:16 Too foreign to be a Sri Lankan17:40 Wanting to leave Sri Lanka19:54 More on Vidura's connection with Sri Lanka and Colombo22:47 Berlin feels like home23:57 Not tailoring material too much26:18 View on South Asian comedians doing the “accents”29:24 Cult leader look and chilled energy31:02 Only talk about things he actually cares about34:38 A habit of reading35:17 British people trying to seem smart36:30 Vidura's way wit words39:51 Telling jokes as minority/an immigrant43:26 Vidura's high-quality video clips on Instagram46:38 Vidura's website and social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Hi all! Thanks so much for your support in the last year. Season One of Comedy with an Accent Podcast is coming to an end at episode 31 - there's one more episode to be released this month. The podcast will go on! It's just that it will take a summer break in August and return in autumn. Your host Kuan-wen explains why the summer break is needed. Please don't unfollow because we will be back very soon (also, you have one more episode to look forward to!)

When your host messaged Dan about the interview at the start of this year, he replied that he was still on the move after leaving Russia. He could not be sure where he will have a legal paper to stay.It's a weirder-than-ever time to be a Russian comedian, especially one who dared to joke about Putin's height in his comedy special. Dan followed his instinct to become a 'travelling comedian'. Travelling or exiling, depending on how you see it.In deciding to leave Moscow, Dan ditched a successful career as a stand up comedian back home. Even though it was still possible to continue to perform in his mother tongue for the overseas Russians, Dan decided to convert himself to an English stand up performer. He did have to start over again but in his own words, it is a chance to re-invent himself from Денис Чужой (Denis Chuzhoy) to Dan The Stranger.Dan talks about this extraordinary journey and his comedy choices - why he'd shy away from hack Russian stereotypes and how Mike Birbiglia inspired him with comedy story-telling.---------------------------------Follow Dan on InstagramHis stand up special (in Russian) released in September 2021 that was mentioned in this episodeFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------00:48 Intro02:47 From a (domestic) Russian comedian to an exiled/travelling Russian comedian performing in English07:30 Declaring his view on the war is a must09:21 Infrequent English performances prior to the exile10:53 Conversion to a new language to make a living14:04 A chance to re-invent yourself16:00 Continue to learn English from an App18:20 The journey out of Russia20:49 How have Dan's audience changed after he left Russia?21:48 Russian overseas do not stick together24:22 Hack jokes based on Russian stereotypes30:51 90% thinking in Russian and 10% thinking in English32:13 Dan's special in Russian released in 202133:29 “Russian comedy”?37:01 Police knocks of the door for his jokes40:25 Dan's atypical comedy choice as a Russian comedian42:33 Writing jokes inside a story---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Schalk Bezuidenhout was tour support for Trevor Noah and won South African Comics' Choice Awards' Newcomer and Break Through Act of the Year. This episode was recorded in May when the South African star brought his show to Soho Theatre in London for a 5-day run, filling the room with South African expats and local Brits alike.Schalk explains the stereotypes attached to Afrikaans and talks about how Afrikaans speakers are often on the receiving end of jokes in South Africa, how the Afrikaans accent can be made fun of, Nevertheless, comedy serves as the unifying factor for the multi-racial post-Apartheid South Africa by creating a shared experienceWhen gigging abroad, the white South African label used to lead the audience to automatically assume the comic has got to be racist, so much so that a disclaimer is required. Schalk explains how things are changing and why he would always identify himself as an Afrikaans South African rather than just a South African.*Apologies from your host in this episode as he mispronounced Afrikaans by omitting the "S" at the end on a few occasions.---------------------------------Follow Schalk on Instagram and his websiteSchalk will be in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival this August! See Schalk in EdFringeFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and TwitterYour host Kuan-wen will be in Edinburgh in August, too!---------------------------------00:50 Intro02:28 Afrikaans as a language (vs. Modern Dutch)05:54 Schalk prefers performing in English08:05 Languages in South Africa09:28 South Africans' less privileged passports12:30 Schalk's accent / comedy being one of the unifying factors in South Africa16:11 Schalk performing in front of other ethnicities in South Africa18:07 How Schalk was “forced” into learning English19:29 Picking on English South Africans19:59 Needing to warm up to switch to English22:04 A party for South Africans (other guests welcome)23:50 Changing words and slangs in the comedy set25:39 Different approaches for gigging in different cities28:36 A Public school is a Private school in the UK29:34 People tend to ask “where's your accent from?”32:45 Afrikaans as oppressed (Anglo-Boer war) or oppressor (Apartheid)?33:24 Comedy audience automatically assumed white South African comedians to be racist36:30 The Afrikaans South African performer rather than just South African38:41 South Africans in the UK more homesick than those in Australia41:21 How many South Africans there are in the UK----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Having only started performing comedy in the UK in 2021, Joshua was crowned winner of So You Think You Are Funny in 2022 and bagged another win at London Comedy Store gong show. He was finalist at BBC New Comedy Award 2022 and nominated as Best Newcomer by Chortle. The Southern India's native came to the UK for a corporate job and he only took up a comedy course to get better at communication doing his corporate job, These achievements and credits were unintended. Equally unintended is his understated, still and measured stage delivery. Joshua claims he is just trying to remember his lines! This episode inevitably covers a few big topics as our chilled and composed guest is incredibly intelligent and eloquent. Joshua explains the opening line about his accent he dislikes and how he has had to go the extra mile to convince others that some Indian boys really are called Joshua.---------------------------------Follow Joshua on Instagram and YoutubeJoshua's work=in=progress show at Top Secret Comedy Club in London on 17 July 2023 - ticketsFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------00:38 Intro02:43 Why is Joshua named Joshua? Anglo Indians or Indians who converted to Christianity?07:49 Joking about his Indian accent he didn't think he has;========= a school that focuses on English education11:02 To “perfect” one's accent?12:09 The “Bank support accent” joke15:00 “Sorry my name is not brown enough for you”18:47 Joshua's languages20:14 Languages in South India20:52 North v South in India21:59 Colourism; racism without the race24:44 Joshua on colonialism30:11 A subdued, still style of comedy delivery (that is unintended)34:25 Not staging a fake Indian accent35:56 Joshua's upcoming shows and social media----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Our very first Portuguese guest is comedian Jomi Cruz who radiates tons of youthful energy and resembles a junior Eurovision contestant. Jomi shares how he acquired a quasi American accent that is not good enough to fool Americans but just enough to trick some Brits. Jomi chats about the few stereotypes associated with Portugal for British audience but the one bad joke about Madeline McCann* that is sure to put punters off but 1 out of every 5 new open mic comics tempts to do.Sounding not typically Portuguese but more certainly camp, the fashion-forward and even androgynous-dressing Jomi explains how he learned to embrace his accent, his campiness through therapy. The episode was recorded back in January but the overlap of its release date with the renewed reservoir search for Maddie REALLY IS CONINCIDENTAL. ---------------------------------Follow Jomi on Instagram and his London comedy night - Comedy FreaksFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------00:50 Intro02:22 Madonna's time in Lisbon03:03 Where is the name “Jomi” from03:57 What does Portuguese sound like?04:27 Jomi's fake-ish American accent09:22 Not an obvious Portuguese accent vs hack immigrant comedy12:08 Junior Eurovision vibe13:08 Starting his comedy set stating he is Portuguese14:42 Hating the way he spoke pre-therapy16:28 Embracing his campness22:00 Therapy and change of attitude towards his way of speaking23:26 Rejected by toxic masculine male punters due to his dampness?26:08 Jokes about Madeleine McCann30:28 Portuguese typically good at foreign languages?32:52 Being nice and The changing Portuguese mentality34:55 Jomi's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Evaldas could have stayed in his native Lithuania and earned much more from doing comedy. After all, he started performing at a critical time in Lithuania when anyone who decided to perform was almost automatically a professional comedian.Instead, the hopeless romantic fan of stand up comedy came to the UK and started again from bottom of the barrel - doing open mic gigs all over the place to work his way up. All these because he saw a visiting pro and concluded he had to leave to get good. Your host Kuan-wen reunited with his victor - they both participated in a new act competition in Manchester in 2019. Your host came second; this episode's guest was the rightful winner. Evaldas talks about how he worked on his English to soften the accent and how he gets annoyed when the audience make notes of his accent rather than focusing on his jokes. He talks about the "East European" label as seen by audience in the UK, as most Brits know very little about his home country. You will also hear Evaldas' nuanced view on comedy sketches on social media, including his own ones, and the use of social media for comedians in general. Apart from comedy, the discussion also includes his take on the legacy of Russian/Soviet occupation in Lithuania---------------------------------Follow Evaldas on Instagram and Youtube Evaldas also produced a very interesting documentary on his experience of participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a new-ish comedian. See the documentary here. Follow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------00:53 Intro02:11 Evaldas' seemingly American accent04:58 Lithuania and Taiwan's “Small Country Syndrome”06:38 Evaldas would rather people focus on his jokes than on his accent (even if it is a praise)09:01 Private English lessons in the past and continue to work on his English pronunciation11:16 Being half Russian but not embracing the Russian side of heritage13:52 Comedy audiences from Eastern Europe15:36 Russian or English as foreign language in Lithuania17:34 Why Evaldas moved to the UK (Manchester first, then London)19:22 Lithuania's fast-growing comedy scene23:31 The regional “East European” identity26:30 Not yet addressing a harsh and poor East European childhood on stage27:26 A preference over American style comedy30:43 Evaldas' committed approach to comedy sketches on social media32:17 Social media as a comedian's necessary evil in this day and age----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Described by some as the "mother hen" of Singapore's burgeoning stand up comedy scene, Sam has just performed his solo show "Government Approved Sex" to critical acclaim at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival.This episode was recorded at the start of 2023 when Sam returned to the UK after a mini-tour in continental Europe (preceded by a full Edinburgh fringe run last summer).Sam shares why his mother tongue Mandarin isn't his most proficient language - something that is not uncommon for Singaporeans. He explains how Singapore's language policy means he no longer speaks the languages of his grandparents, which his parents use to openly hide secrets from him.Sam also provides his insightful take on the differences between audiences in Singapore, continental Europe and the UK.Due to your host's friendship with Sam, there have been a lot of banters and swear words so apologies for the numerous beeps this episode!---------------------------------Follow Sam on Instagram, Twitter and his websiteFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------00:52 Intro (Bickering between the guest Sam and your host Kuan-wen)05:24 Not fluent in his mother tongue - Mandarin07:14 Singapore's official language and de facto lingua franca09:52 Why doesn't Sam speak any southern Chinese languages?13:12 International school v Chinese school students15:23 Sam's not-quite-Singlish English accent17:50 Choosing to focus on stand up comedy in English instead of Mandarin19:35 Sam's role in Singapore's stand up comedy scene/ opening for Jim Jeffery21:40 Scottish comedians slowing down when performing in Singapore22:43 Singapore's complex relationship with its neighbour Malaysia24:38 On Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew27:43 Differences between comedy audiences in Singapore, continental Europe and the UK29:19 Sam's "Introductory Set"31:41 Kuan-wen's example of how comedy savvy the UK audience can be32:42 Sam's “Introductory Set” when performing abroad36:20 Does Sam always mention he is gay on stage abroad?38:29 Sam's military service experience41:04 Sam's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Actor and comedian Anne Klein is the first Oscar nominee (In the short film The Red Suitcase) and the first Luxembourgish guest on this podcast. Fluent in English, French, German and her native Luxembourgish, Anne has this amazing ability to switch between languages and disguises her accent(s) to fool inattentive listeners.Anne talked about being the oddball that is too weird for her small country and her coming of age after she left Luxembourg. The pandemic ironically forced her to move back home for a year or two, but this time round, she managed to find her arty people in the small country of 646,000 people and changed her pre-existing view on her own hometown.Anne also talked about how Luxembourgish lacks a richer vocabulary because of the people's fluency in languages of their neighbouring countries.Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Anne shared how she started her comedy journey and offered her view on actors and comedians not just "picking one lane."---------------------------------Follow Anne on Instagram, Twitter and her website.Follow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter---------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------01:01 Intro (sound tech guessing where Anne is from)03:46 Some facts about Luxembourg05:07 How to pronounce Anne's name05:49 Luxembourgish people's abilities to switch between languages08:11 English being Anne's language of choice when she talks about her emotions09:42 Coming of age after leaving Luxembourg13:48 In London, no one cares about your appearance(Kuan-wen mentioned Sam Smith's 2023 Brit Awards outfit. For a reminder, see this)15:27 Do people notice Anne has an accent? How does Anne's accent(s) affect her acting work?17:57 Anne's French and German (proficiency and accents)22:08 The Luxembourgish language and how it's used (Students taught in German and French)25:58 How to say “Four beers, quick quick” in Luxembourg26:14 People not knowing (enough) about Luxembourg27:11 Kuan-wen unimpressed by his day trip to Luxembourg28:02 Anne rarely mentions Luxembourg in her comedy routines29:27 The pandemic forced Anne to move back home and the difference this time31:12 A trained actor performing comedy; pick a lane?34:40 Luxembourg and Eurovision36:13 Love having her hands in lots of pies---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

This week, your host Kuan-wen would like to introduce the burgeoning comedy scenes in his native Taiwan - both in English and in Mandarin - as an example of how Asia is catching the stand up comedy fever (and catching up!). Since he has not lived in Taiwan for over a decade, the introduction is recorded through the eyes of an Englishman who has spent the last few years first in Shanghai and then in Taipei.Outside comedy, Adam is a journalist who moved to Asia for work and perhaps for a bit of change of scenery. Then Covid happened and the lucky Adam enjoyed a relatively free year of 2020 in Taiwan. He was heavily involved in the English-speaking "expat scenes" in Taiwan, witnessing the growth of the parallel local scene and even started performing in Mandarin himself.There are long queues for people who want to sign up to perform. Someone's first open mic gig may be in front of an audience of 180. But, occasionally, you perform to audience who are actually not that fluent in English and are introduced as, "here comes a white dude who performs stand up comedy."---------------------------------Follow Adam on Instagram and TwitterFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------01:02 Intro04:08 Kuan-wen and Adam swapped their homelands07:05 Adam's (West) Yorkshire accent09:22 Adam's Taiwanese sounding Mandarin accent12:21 How Taiwanese and Chinese speak differently13:54 Taiwan's Mandarin and English Open Mic scenes17:45 Avoiding references not relevant to audience in Asia20:36 Why did Adam move to Shanghai first and Taiwan later24:00 Adam spent 2020 Covid free in Taiwan27:59 Comedy based on East Asian stereotypes35:05 English comedy shows in Asia and “Expat scenes”39:08 Adam's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Our mini Scandinavia tour comes back to Norway again after two recent episodes feauturing guests from Denmark and Sweden. Viggo Venn, previously half of clowning duo Zack & Viggo, is our second guest from Norway.Viggo trained as a clown at the renowned École Philippe Gaulier, where he is now a member of the teaching staff. His clowning instinct - a desire to entertain and a persistence to embrace failures ("flops") - meant this recording has been the most chaotic and disruptive to date. But it was fun!Viggo explains why he exaggerates the "foreign idiot" persona on stage and consequently exaggerates his accent. We also peek into Viggo's journey as a performer - how he ended up training as a clown after coming across Dr. Brown's show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.Viggo was not only interviewed but performed throughout this recording. The whole episode is interwoven with two running gags, namely Viggo insisting he and your host Kuan-wen are related due to the pronunciation of their names and that Viggo is not happy another Norwegian comedian (Thor Stenhaug in episode 2) was invited first.---------------------------------Follow Viggo on Instagram and check out his website for shows and clown workshopsFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:59 Intro03:08 How Viggo wrongly pronounces his own name and Viggo starts the running gag he and Kuan-wen are brothers (and went wild)06:48 A stronger Norwegian accent on stage in the UK to be the “foreign ldiot”11:45 Are Norwegians more boring?12:50 Norwegians' perception of themselves and attitudes towards Sweden and Denmark15:35 UK comedy audience's particular appreciation of high brow and silly lowbrow comedy at the same time16:40 Kuan-wen's observation how Viggo adjusts his accent18:50 A clown that does stand up24:37 Viggo being disruptive (AGAIN!)26:09 How Viggo decided to train as a clown28:55 Purist believers of stand up comedy32:46 Zack & Viggo33:58 Viggo being disruptive (AGAIN!)39:26 Viggo's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Evelyn Mok is well known for being the former co-host of the (now retired) Rice to Meet You Podcast and the creative mind behind multiple popular sketches. The Swedish native is also one of the highest-profile comedian of East Asian heritage in the UK, who now spends her time between both countries.Evelyn talked about how the feeling of being "other'ed in Sweden in her childhood prompted her to mimic a near perfect American accent as an escape. She also shared the cadence employed earlier in her comedy career - partially a remnant of getting out of a stage character and partially her understanding at that time of how funny should sound like.This episode also includes Evelyn's reflection on her relationship between stand up (more specifically doing stand up in the UK) and depression and why it can be a complex mix. She has prioritised taking care of her own mental health and is now a in better place again to pursue her love for stand up.---------------------------------Follow Evelyn on InstagramFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review.For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:48 Intro (& some chitchat)05:19 Where did Evelyn's get her near perfect American accent from and why was young Evelyn determined to mimic the American accent?08:45 Why ethnic minority immigrants are more likely to try stand up comedy09:55 Can Evelyn's American accent fool native speakers?11:05 When Evelyn's Swedish sound slips13:00 Different Nordic sounds and stereotypes (inc. some Eurovision chat)16:54 Evelyn might not have to explain her accent but needs to address her background - because of her ethinicty - if she wants to mention Sweden21:25 Evelyn's old “cadence” - the way Evelyn used to speak on stage - and the character she used to employ24:58 How “Funny” sounded to Evelyn30:21 Depression; how it affected Evelyn's stand up33:12 From a character to a stage persona to finally be her true self37:44 Evelyn can only manage this American accent41:07 Is Evelyn more fluent in English than in her native Cantonese?41:52 Re-discovering her Swedishness and Asianness -45:15 Looking back on a therapy like—episode47:27 Evelyn's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

“Are you the WHSmith guy?” Stephen Buchanan is known by strangers these days for his viral sketch clips, shared so widely that he'd be stopped and recognised by random people on the street. He won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2018; he is a third of the popular podcast Some Laughs and part of the new generation of comedy talents coming out of Glasgow, a city that has produced exceptional performers from Frankie Boyle, Kevin Bridges, Larry Dean to Billy Connolly.With one of the most consistent guest's own chuckle rate throughout the interview, Stephen talks about the working class character of Scotland's biggest city and the "Tall Poppy Syndrome" he was taught growing up as a wee working-class Glaswegian lad. Being neither the tallest nor the most capable of playing football or fight, Stephen morphed into the funniest guy in the playground to survive.Your hosts also asks Stephen about his daft, beta-male stage persona and why he does not go down the incel-pleasing trope of opinionated comedy style.---------------------------------Follow Stephen on Instagram. or TwitterStephen is a third of Some Laugh Podcast with fellow Scottish comedians Marc Jennings and Stuart McPhersonFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review.For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:49 Intro03:40 A viral clip that makes Stephen “The WHSmith Guy”06:40 Only having an accent when gigging in London08:11 Adjusting the accent level depending on the person you talk to10:03 Did Stephen have his podcast parters think about their accents when recording?11:57 BBC World Service producer changing Stephen's references for American listeners - a “Bin” (Trash can)15:32 Changing the way he speaks performing outside Scotland18:37 Changing a working class accent for London centric Upper class audience21:49 Why has Glasgow nurtured so many great comedians?24:52 The Scottish mentality - The Tall Poppy Syndrome27:38 Stephen's akin to Charlie in Always Sunny In Philadelphia31:50 Joking about his own height on his terms34:00 Silly mundane stuffs rather than opinionated comedy38:21 Jokes made funnier because of the accent or only funny because of the accent?41:12 Glaswegian accent voted the 3rd sexiest accent in the UK44:15 Comedians free to swear when performing in Glasgow46:24 Some (obligatory) bagpipe music47:19 Stephen's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

"What's your mother tongue?" A simple question.. Cansu Karabiyik, our guest this week, replied, "That's a complicated question. I don't really have a national identity anymore."As a Kurdish/Turkish Danish citizen who studied abroad first in America then at Cambridge University in the UK, Cansu is an example that national identity and our relationship with a language may not always be straightforward.Cansu in this episode talks to your host Kuan-wen about how she had to adjust her comedy performing style since moving across the pond from London to New York. With such a complex background, how she selectively chooses bits about her to include in her introductory lines to provide the context for subsequent jokes. Your host and the guest also had a gentle dig at the Cambridge University and the world famous Cambridge Footlights club (hopefully all justified after you watch the video - see link below!)Cansu debating "Cambridge Footlights have NOT ruined British Comedy" (cringe...)---------------------------------Follow Cansu on Instagram.Follow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review.For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:42 Intro02:14 A Kurdish comedian from Denmark who parents are from Turkey05:04 Changes to Cansu's accent since she moved from the UK to New York06:51 British humour v New York audience12:42 Kurdish v Turkish v Danish, which one is Cansu's mother tongue?14:22 Kuan-wen draws parallels between his Taiwanese and Cansu's Kurdish15:23 Cansu's confusing accent to others17:12 Unconscious bias to link ethnicity to choice of languages18:35 How Cansu works with her confusing accent performing comedy21:33 English is a language reserved for comedy jokes23:10 Cansu's straight talking from Danish and Middle Eastern cultures25:50 Being “other”ed in Denmark and the Danish Ghetto Laws30:05 Differences between Kurdish people in Turkey/Iraq/Syria/Iran32:46 Cansu's Cambridge and Cambridge Footlight experience---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

[Notes for our non-Mandarin-speaking listeners, this is a one-off special episode recorded in Mandarin. We will be back to our normal bi-weekly episode in English on Jan 31st]先祝各位聽眾一聲新年快樂，兔年行大運。上一集以英文訪問來自美國波士頓，但在中國以相聲和單口喜劇走紅的艾杰西（Jesse Appell）。錄音當天，我們以中文分別又錄製了這一集。本集中文內容集中於主持人冠文與杰西討論中國與台灣所用中文的差異、杰西闡述他中文如何學到如此入骨的歷程、以及中國相聲「說、學、逗、唱」四大要點。看看杰西的中文好得多驚為天人杰西於中國電視節目表演內容

Ahead of the Chinese New Year, we are rejiggling the podcast's format slightly. Our guest this week is Jesse Appell, a native English speaker from Boston, USA who performs stand up comedy in Mandarin and whose career started in China. This reverses our usual format of interviewing non-native English speakers who perform English stand up.Known as 艾杰西 in China, Jesse has performed on Chinese TV and apprenticed over 7 years under the late Chinese Xiang Sheng* Master 丁广泉 （Ding Guang-Quan）Having started as a Fullbright scholar researching Chinese humour and performance, Jesse has an astonishing command of the Chinese language and has in your host Kuan-wen's view picked up a lot of mannerisms of a typical Chinese speaker from Northern China.Jesse shares his experience of performing in front of Chinese audiences. He explains how he has had to adapt to their expectations, when anything he covers risks being interpreted as "What an American has got to say about China"The pandemic also unexpected forced Jesse to move back to the States, a situation that he described as "being an exile in my own country" and "no one else would believe except for the Chinese Immigrants"A bonus episode recored in Mandarin will be released on Chinese New Year's Day 21 Jan.*Xiang Sheng is a traditional performing art in Chinese comedy. See more on Xiang Sheng---------------------------------Follow Jesse on Instagram or his Youtube Channel. If you use the Chinese Weibo, you can find Jesse as @艾杰西Jesse's tea business has a separate Instagram accountFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review.For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:53 Intro02:14 UK vs “Europe”? Or Rest of Europe?03:32 Jesse's impeccable accent (Beijingers like) when he speaks Mandarin07:27 Back in USA, Jesse having to deal with Americans' lack of knowledge in China (including Chinese Americans)09:30 Forced to move back to USA by accident - exiled in his own country11:33 Jesse's assessment of different comedy crowds14:43 What Jesse can and can't say as an American performing in China17:04 When an audience's expectation of a comedian is not neutral18:42 Chinese not used to meeting caucasians speaking fluent Chinese in real lives21:55 Jesse's tea business and coming to the Baltic states and to the UK ‘en route'25:54 On differences between Asians and Asian Americans; on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, Margaret Cho, “Fresh off the Boat” and the Vietnamese character Dong in “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”34:03 Audience not bothered by Jesse doing a thick Chinese accent34:45 Different personalities when different languages are used?38:52 Advocating doing comedy in a foreign language---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! The first episode in 2023 took your host to the Land of Song on the British isles - Wales. Steffan, more often in his Welsh tongue, is a Radio host, TV presenter and household name in his native Wales. Steffan also performs throughout the UK in English, a language he only became fluent in his teens.The Swansea native's love for his culture and his langue is evident throughout this interview.Steffan shared how he thinks in Welsh, how his skills at translating between the English and the Welsh languages help him deal with occasional glitches on stage and why he is fed up with lazy jokes about the Welsh language. So fed up is he that he wrote a whole show mocking the English language - those lazy "jokes" are not about Welsh but simply about a language you don't know.---------------------------------Follow Steffan on twitter, Instagram or join his Facebook groupSteffan's Rats in Boilersuits: The Torchwood PodcastFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------Kuan-wen mentioned a set from the Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert and the Welsh singer Browen Lewis.If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review.For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:50 Intro02:09 Rhod Gilbert's comedy portrayal of Cardiff02:51 Growing up copying the Received Pronunciation accent; English fluency only in his teens07:48 Thinking in Welsh; mastery over English as second language11:09 Occasional glitches12:55 Autism and accents15:04 When the comic forgets a specific English word16:33 Translating skills (The Welsh Language Act 1993)18:59 An example of a glitch20:57 Just admit you forget the word22:53 Tougher gigs to perform to Welsh audience30:28 Less stereotypes and more nuances for home crowds?32:28 Audience shouted Sheepshagger34:04 Accessibility to home culture and mother tongue39:23 First show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival was secretly about languages45:00 Battles to save the Welsh language46:16 What is a microwave in Welsh?46:53 Steffan's social media and podcast---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Bon Nadal! Feliz Navidad! Our last guest in 2022 is our third Spanish-speaking guest - also the podcast's first Catalan speaker - the self-titled "Lovely Boy From Barcelona" Sergi Polo.Fresh from being nominated for the prestigious Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Sergi is a regular at the popular Angel comedy in London who is known for his snappy, sharp and witty gags. Just check his Instagram page for the reels and you'll get an idea.Your host Kuan-wen had an interesting discussion with Sergi on their differing views when it comes to mockery of accents. Sergi does not mind it; in fact, he further welcomes jokes and comedy based on stereotypes. He does reveal some of Spain's curious attitudes on racism, legacy of colonialism.Asian listeners, buckle up; listen in to find out how "Takeshi's Castle (風雲!たけし城)" is translated in Spain.---------------------------------Follow Sergi on InstagramFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:41 Intro01:06 Sergio is Spanish (Castilian); Sergi from Barcelona is Catalan03:24 “My Spanish accent is beautiful”07:07 Spanish words written the way they are pronounced and the “Acento”10:46 The accent helps Sergi stand out and be different from other comedians in the UK13:56 No problem having his accent mocked16:00 Sergi's relaxed view on Manuel from Fawlty Towers17:00 Catalans like to make fun of themselves19:45 Spanish fine with the F word or the N word between friends if they know there's no malicious intent21:56 Racism in Spain, the Spanish version of Takeshi's Castle24:12 Franco in Spain; Taiwanese attitude towards a past dictator27:02 Do younger Spaniards have much less strong accents in English?29:18 Sergi in fact having a Catalan accent in English30:02 How the Catalan language is being kept alive32:38 An example of a joke that is either offensive or based on truth34:51 Sergi's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Baby comic Jin Hao Li is still studying at the University of St Andrews, but he already amassed a remarkable win at the legendary Comedy Store Gong Show in London and got through to the final of Chortle Student Comedy Award this year; A fellow veteran comedian described him as "You are a baby who is walking - but you are not supposed to!"The Singaporean comedy prodigy explains in this episode why he does not carry the usual sound of Southern Chinese dialects like many fellow Singaporeans do. Jin Hao talks about code switching and how his Singlish is only revealed with boys back home.Even though he adores Singlish and Singlish humour, he is just unable to perform his surreal style of comedy in the Singlish accent and retains instead this "privileged international student" accent.---------------------------------Follow Jin Hao on InstagramFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram or email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:53 Intro05:03 An Atypical Chinese Singaporean who does not have a dialect08:12 Singlish accent v privileged international student accent10:55 White British putting on a “Black-ent”13:17 Learning English through Coca-Cola-lisation18:22 Chinese Singaporeans preferring a separate label from Mainland Chineses19:49 Chinese Singaporeans with Southern Chinese heritage (Hokkien v Cantonese v Hakka v Mandarin)20:46 The Manchurian people and the language (Northeast China)22:03 Jin Hao confused between “Elderly” 長輩 and “Seniors” 前輩 in Mandarin25:29 Jin Hao's inability to write jokes in Singlish28:23 The “Speak Good English” Campaign in Singapore29:39 Why do some people refuse to think of Malaysia and Singapore as English-speaking countries?35:35 Jin Hao performs in a non-Singlish accent in Singapore37:33 Moving from China to Singapore39:58 Jin Hao's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Your host Kuan-wen describes Freddi as one of the best kept secrets to comedy audience in the UK and the US.Freddi has been a veteran on the Berlin stand up comedy scene, one of the largest in a non-English-speaking country in Europe thanks to the large number of expats in the city. In fact, it should be two scene"s", since Freddi used to perform both in German and in fluent English and the two only have a limited amount of crossovers. Most expat comedians perform only in English; more German comics perform in German.When Comedy Central sought localised content across the globe, Freddi got on national TV in astonishing speed, as she and her generation of Berlin comics just got enough experiences at the right place and the right time. Then the pandemic happened and Freddi decided to give up performing comedy in German.Your host Kuan-wen reunited with the "old friendly acquaintance" of his to discuss her journey and how she made up her mind. Freddi shared her insight into stand up comedy remaining a underground-ish sub culture in Germany for now. Freddi also explains how she finds it difficult to joke about her faith to Germans or to joke about sex club culture outside Berlin.---------------------------------Follow Freddi on InstagramTo get a flair of Freddi performing in German on TVFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:37 Intro02:36 Freddi's very American accent and its origin05:51 German colonialism08:08 Credential to joke about the Nazi grandfather10:46 The make up of comedy audience in Berlin14:19 Political Cabaret (Politisches Kabarett) in Germany17:27 German audience not getting modern stand up comedy18:59 Why Freddi gave up performing stand up in German21:49 German audience not receptive of discussing someone's faith in public28:13 Changes in Berlin's comedy scene34:09 Not necessarily easier for the comedian to tell and write jokes in their mother tongue39:23 Sex club culture referenced in Freddi's Berlin jokes lost in translation in Edinburgh Fringe Festival43:00 Freddi's relationship with her (ex-) Christian faith46:53 Is German an ugly-sounding language?48:14 Freddi's social media and her full German name---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

India's stand up comedy star Sahil Shah has been in this business for over a decade.He has been at the forefront of India's modern stand up comedy scene and has pretty much grown with the scene. It started with comedy sketches uploaded to Youtube, later packed out live shows. This year, he performed for the first time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the UK - including a week at the Comedy with an Accent showcase - and was scouted by Soho Theatre to bring his own show to London.On the eve of his second night performing at London's Soho Theatre in October, your host Kuan-wen reunited with the energetic performer from Mumbai to record this episode.Sahil explains how the rich languages and the sheer scale of India give rise up to a variety of stand up comedy scene"s" in different language zones. As an act who performs only in English, he shares why he prefers to have jokes' set ups in English but reveals his punchline in Hindi. He nevertheless adjusts his performance style when facing non home crowds and discusses the difference between the comedy audiences in India and in the UK.---------------------------------Follow Sahil on Instagram , Twitter and YoutubeSahil's first comedy special on Amazon Prime Childish BehaviorEast India Comedy on YoutubeFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram and Twitter----------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com----------------------------------Episode timeline00:44 Intro06:47 Languages Sahil speaks10:05 Languages in India and languages switching in Mumbai11:43 Set up in English, punchline in Hindi17:55 Different performance strategies for non home crowds20:53 Mindful of one's own accent to adjust the speed and to enunciate24:38 When someone “put on” an Apu accent28:57 Indian audience clapping at comedy shows33:31 The stand up comedy scene in India36:27 Caste and comedy41:51 Any plan for Sahil to perform comedy in Hindi and/or Gujarati?42:42 Comedy at its funniest with localism; the bit about the chappal46:41 Sahil's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Live at the Apollo star Esther Manito started performing stand up comedy only as recently as 2016 - not to forget we should probably count two years out because of the pandemic. The ex teacher has since brought two critically claimed solo shows (Crusade, #NotAllMen) to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and become the first female comedian to perform at Dubai Opera House.Describing herself as an "Essex Arab Girl Comedian", Esther is in her own words a chameleon of accents having grown up between mixed and sometimes clashing cultures and social classes. Between an Arabic-speaking Lebanese father and a Geordie mother who switched to a southern English accent at home, Esther nevertheless wears the badge of her distinct Essex accent with pride.This is the first episode to feature a distinct British regional accent. The Essex accent has an endearing nature but carries the social connotations of being thick and unsophiscated, best embodied by the all-time guilty pleasure reality TV show The Only Way is Essex.---------------------------------Follow Esther on Instagram or TwitterFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram or TwitterEsther's hilarious podcast with comedian Lily Phillips: Ghastly Women---------------------------------Esther started performing stand up comedy as a young mother after she just gave birth to her second child. If you are interested in how Esther balances her family life whilst switching career as a comedian, there is a great episode on the Parenting Hell Podcast by Josh Widdecombe and Rob Beckett. Also recommended is the interview by comedian Cally Beaton on her podcast Namaste Motherfxxker.----------------------------------Episode timeline00:57 Intro01:48 First British regional accent featured on this podcast03:12 A variety of Essex accents05:17 A chameleon of accents - Esther's mixed heritage10:45 What the Essex accent makes Esther feel as opposed to a Posh British accent12:43 The evolution of the modern Essex accent13:42 Quirky examples of an Essex accent19:03 Definition of a “chav”20:37 Comedy and social classes in the UK - made more complicated by misperceptions of regional accents23:10 Double standards applied to comedians with different accents on swearing25:28 Fetishisation of “working class”28:39 An outsider in her own home town31:01 Ranting on stage and a comedic voice of “tiredness” of being a mum/wife/woman34:49 Two funny arguments between Esther and her husband38:00 A hardworking comedian that balances the life as a mother with young children40:21 Discriminatory treatment of women in Kuan-wen's extended family41:54 The name “Manito” and Esther's maiden name42:50 When English polite manner only confuses Esther's Lebanese relatives46:22 Esther's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

For the avoidance of doubt, President Obonjo is a comedy character created by Anglo-Nigerian comedian Benjamin Bankelo Bello.In clear contrast to the brash, uber-confident and larger-than-life self-appointed African dictator in exile who speaks with a thick African accent, the comedian Benjamin Bankelo Bello is a soft-spoken, suburban Englishman who often wears a cardigan on top of his shirt.Benjamin has stormed his way on to the British comedy circuit as President Obonjo for more than a decade. So convincing is this character that some gullible punters actually believe The Lafta Republic does exist. That is until someone who never got the joke "ousted" him on TikTok.Benjamin recently started to perform stand up comedy as himself - a process which he describes as his "therapy" as a "recovering character comedian" - and explained to your host Kuan-wen why the character President Obonjo was created in the first place. The character was based on Benjamin's real life experiences rather than just a whim. When Kuan-wen and Benjamin discuss how and why what accent is used, it traces back to Benjamin's personal history, with the untangling of British Empire as the backdrop. You also can't help but wonder that as President Obonjo comes so alive, maybe … sometimes it is he who is in charge?--------------------------------Follow President Obonjo on InstagramFollow Benjamin as a stand up comedian himself on InstagramFollow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram or TwitterIf you like the podcast, please like this episode and either follow or subscribe on the platform you use. You can also leave any comments on the podcast's instagram page or. email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------Episode timeline01:11 Intro06:18 Moving between Nigeria and the UK08:51 Brought up speaking English as first language in Nigeria11:17 Benjamin's accent shift after arriving in the UK14:58 A conscious efforts by other friends to keep their African accent(s)17:41 Does Benjamin sound British or African?19:44 Unable to switch off the character or switch between accents21:30 Differences between stand up and character comedy25:46 THERE IS NO LAFTA REPUBLIC28:01 Creation of a dictator character based on real life experiences and extensive research35:33 Performing to Nigerian audiences and at Black circuit gigs40:19 Mocking Chinese accent and stereotypes at black circuit gigs44:14 Benjamin and President Obonjo's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Fresh from winning the LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year in the UK, Victoria was featured in the Guardian (See link to the article) a month after this podcast episode was recorded. Her unique brand of humour is best illustrated by the joke quoted in the Guardian interview, in a love poem to the former Home Secretary in the UK Priti Patel, "I wish I was the Falkland Islands, so you can occupy me indefinitely against International Law."Outside comedy, Victoria remains a successful business entrepreneur and a SEO specialist.Victoria talks about how she has to make do with the very limited understanding of her home country when performing in the UK and how she set foot on the comedy path from a corporate career in the financial sector. Kuan-wen also discusses with Victoria how her deadpan and precise style of comedy delivery may be a by-product of her not being as proficient in English as opposed to her mother tongue Spanish.See Victoria on stage--------------------------------Follow Victoria on Instagram or TwitterFollow host Kuan-wen on Instagram or TwitterIf you like the podcast, please like this episode and either follow or subscribe on the platform you use. You can also leave any comments on the podcast's instagram page or. email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------Episode timeline00:52 Intro02:51 Greetings in Argentinian Spanish03:16 "Latin America" v. "South America"/"North America" v. "Americans"05:29 Falkland Islands - Islas Malvinas07:11 "I sound like a scam!"11:11 Former life as a miserable corporate robot (see the corporate robot video Kuan-wen refers to)13:49 Speaking at a corporate event led to suggestion of a go at comedy20:06 Argentina in Wong Kar Wai's "Happy Together"20:54 British people's limited understanding of Argentina and the stereotypes23:30 Tango27:45 Victoria's stage presence v. her accent31:28 Different personas in Spanish and in English34:50 The importance of addressing her foreignness at the start of a gig37:04 Is Victoria white?41:13 Buzz Lightyear's Spanish-speaking mode in Toy Story III42:47 Between Katherine Ryan & Tig Notaro45:16 Victoria's social media---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

The very first German speaker invited to this podcast is not from Germany, but from Austria - a relatively small country that produced a range of household names from Mozart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joseph Fritzl, Hitler to Conchita Wurst. This small country is also the remnants of the once mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire.Hubert explains why the loss of the empire creates a visibly darker sense of humour - as opposed to Germans - that is shared amongst Austrians, and how this in his cultural DNA shapes his edgier and darker choices of subjects in his comedy.See Hubert's performance at Comedy StoreHubert and Kuan-wen also discussed whether Hubert's incredibly deep voice, coupled with his mild but noticeable German accent, is rather soothing, creepy or manipulative in his comedy delivery.---------------------------------Hubert's Instagram and TwitterFollow host Kuan-wen on Instagram or TwitterIf you like the podcast, please like this episode and either follow or subscribe on the platform you use. You can also leave any comments on the podcast's instagram page or. email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com---------------------------------Episode timeline00:46 Intro01:44 How to pronounce Hubert Mayr in German02:59 Being a German speaker but coming from (the lesser known) Austria05:51 "Not a bad accent"07:25 Austrians having a milder accent speaking English compared to Germans08:60 Austria v. Bavaria v, the whole of Germany10:36 Placing Hubert's accent11:46 Why does Hubert describe his accent as CREEPY?14:06 Hubert's deep, low voice and its potential manipulative quality21:05 Hubert's darker jokes - comedy coming from a place of pain22:14 Austrians having a darker sense of humour24:35 An off-track chat on schlagers26:03 The empire hangover and WWII shaping Austrians' sense of humour29:45 "The Sound of Music" and Kuan-wen singing "The Lonely Goater" in Mandarin from his boys choir days33:39 The shaping of modern Austrian identify as an insignificant country after the break up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire36:47 Hubert's autobiographical comedy and why he refrains from criticising the British people38:42 Laughing at his own (dark) jokes39:57 Jokes about being Austria or famous people from Austria; jokes based on a nationality45:57 The catholic upbringing49:36 Hubert's social media---------------------------------Hubert mentioned two Austrian films: Indien - English title India - and Muttertag - English title Mother's Day.---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabe

Isa celebrates being "weird" in their comedy approach. They got into the comedy world by accident when they tried to impress a girl - well, Isa did not get the girl, but they did get comedy! The wicked Spanish comedian - 2018 finalist of BBC New Comedy Awards - enjoys sharing the wacky thoughts in their head rather than joking about and conforming to all the worst Spanish stereotypes, against their comedy course tutor's advice.This episode also includes a heartfelt section of Isa explaining how Spanish women had to endure an unfair and sexiest society well into the 20th century and why they feel compelled to tell the stories of Spanish women who show strong emotions..---------------------------------Isa's InstagramFollow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter---------------------------------Episode timeline00:38 Intro02:23 Isa making an effort - sometimes - to mitigate their Spanish accent05:01 Simple phrases and greetings in Spanish06:15 How Isa uses an opening joke to adjust audience's perception of their accent and why Isa does not want to be THE Spanish comedian who only talks about being Spanish07:48 A comedy course tutor advised Isa to rely heavily on Spanish stereotypes09:40 Isa does not wish to make Spanish people the butt of the joke; Manuel from Fawlty Tower11:34 Isa started to touch upon topics from the Spanish culture more recently13:23 Isa anglicised their long Spanish name; also, ISA means Individual Saving Accounts in the UK15:14 How Isa's Spanish accents works in their favour & against them17:10 UK's social classes in the eyes of foreign immigrants20:12 Isa rarely performs comedy in Spanish21:01 How Isa got into English stand up comedy23:28 Is it rude or is it in anyone's right to point out a foreign comedian has a (strong) accent?25:33 The portrayal of fiercely emotional Spanish women by Isa and other Spanish-speaking comics (Check out British comedian Jen Brister's set, who is half Spanish )27:20 The lack of women's rights in Spain until 198129:22 Isa's comical portrayal of their mother that comes from a place of love32:28 Spanish or Castellano?33:20 The Telenovela version of a British Royal Family sketch34:33 Isa's social media accounts/handles---------------------------------The character in Fawlty Tower mentioned by Isa is Manuel. If you have a look at the clip, it is quite surprising how far comedy and the society have evolved!---------------------------------Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabehttps://www.instagram.com/taigenkawabe/

In the second part of interview with Radu, the chat wandered off at times to include the funny geopolitical situation of Romania and how that gets reflected in Radu's comedy. Kuan-wen also delved deeper into the mechanics of Radu's voice and tone and how those embody Radu's comedy style and his worldview.---------------------------------------Radu's Instagram (@radu70mld)Radu's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show "Pandemic"If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram---------------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter

Radu is the type of performer that is regarded by many fellow comics as a comedian's comedian.He not only wins over audiences at comedy clubs, his contrarian approach often involves him throwing out ideas and notions that challenge the audiences' worldview. As he lays out his arguments, the unthinkable suddenly becomes so convincing for the audience and then chuckles come along. Radu's comedy is not just funny - it also makes you think. All these are achieved without Radu having to resort to stereotyping his home country.In the first part of the interview, Radu talks about how he has always been aware that he has an accent either in USA or in the UK, or even back in Romania.---------------------------------------Radu's Instagram (@radu70mld)Radu's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show "Pandemic"If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram---------------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter---------------------------------------Episode timeline00:40 Intro01:20 Radu in the final of "English Comedian of the Year" competition04:11 Radu now being aware of his accent when he speaks English - most Romanian people not being aware of their accents06:37 Radu is used to being seen as someone who has an accent - even when he speaks Romanian08:32 Radu makes reference to his accent at the start of his comedy set10:49 How to pronounce "Radu Isac" in Romanian12:20 Radu's distinct personal way of speaking (The meerkat commercial)15:55 How Radu's accent adds comedic effect but also boxes him in at the same time17:14 A random chat on Ping Pong and Olympic sport categories18:12 Radu considers his accent strong (but not as strong as it used to be)18:53 The English-speaking muscle that gets tired after a while on a given day20:37 Making fun of Grammar Nazis22:45 Describing one's own home town as a shit hole.23:20 Kuan-wen's comedy routine that is based on a cartoon-ish worldview to cater for the British audience25:10 Radu refrains himself from reinforcing Romanian stereotypes performing to British audiences

The hilarious interview with Yuriko continues in this episode.In the last episode, your host Kuan-wen and Yuriko started the discussion of the partial and poor understanding of Japanese culture by western societies. An extension of this is the fetishisation of Japanese culture. Because of some of the terms mentioned in the chat eg Bukkake (ぶっ掛け) - and possibly because your host Kuan-wen's mischief - this episode has been marked containing explicit content.---------------------------------------Yuriko's Instagram (@yurikocomedy), Facebook and Twitter (@YurikoComedy)Yuriko's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show Kajiu AboutIf you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram---------------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter-----------------------------------Episode timeline00:40 Western audience's fetishisation of Japanese culture eg. Hen Tai (変態). Anime (アニメ),(01:18 - 02:19 Yuriko proposes both she and Kuan-wen go to a cosplay event)02:38 How Bukkake (ぶっ掛け) went from a cooking technique to a genre in ... errr .;.. porn. See detailed explanation on Wikipedia05:07 Kuan-wen explains why the sex noises in Japanese porns are different from those in western porns06:24 How Mandarin speakers understand the term Hen Tai (変態) when they read the Japanese writing and why it is not just a porn genre07:58 Yuriko chose currently not to cover these fetishised Japanese terms as comedy material11:01 Yuriko's different persona when she performs in English and how Kuan-wen feels Yuriko has become even more anglicised on stage14:02 Kuan-wen explains why he videotapes every single performance16:55 On voice actors17:59 Yuriko performing in Japanese21:53 How the very different Japanese sentence structure affects how comedy can be constructed24:04 Why Kuan-wen gave up learning Japanese in high school.26:44 Yuriko's social media and 2022 Edinburgh Fringe show.---------------------------------

After two episodes centring on European languages, we are back to Asia this week to discuss comedy and foreign accents with the brilliant Japanese comedian Yuriko Kotani, 2015 winner of the prestigious BBC New Comedy Award.Your host Kuan-wen asked Yuriko her view on the piecemeal understanding/perception/interpretation of Japanese culture by western societies. They also shared their constant struggles choosing whether they should base their jokes on concepts from their respective cultures but are foreign to British audience. Kuan-wen also sang an old Taiwanese Pharma jingo based on traditional Japanese folk music.The long chat with Yuriko is divided into two episodes*. Part 2 will be released next Tuesday (Aug 2nd) instead of the usual bi-weekly schedule as it is an extended episode.---------------------------------------Yuriko's Instagram (@yurikocomedy), Facebook and Twitter (@YurikoComedy)Yuriko's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show Kajiu AboutIf you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram---------------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter---------------------------------The traditional Japanese singing style Kuan-wen and Yuriko mentioned is called Enka （演歌/えんか） with distinct use of nasal sounds.For Tokyo Olympics in 2021, they also had similar folk dance music called Tokyo Gorin Ondo （東京五輪音頭）. See video here.The one Kuan-wen was singing-----------------------------------Episode timeline00:40 Intro01:14 Different titles addressing someone in Japanese -San（さん）-Kun（君くん）- Chan（ちゃん）02:04 Japan being Taiwan's former coloniser + Tokyo Ondo （東京音頭）- Japanese Folksong/dance music05:06 All about the magical Japanese pharmacies06:49 Yuriko's Japanese accent when she speaks English09:35 British comedy audience's expectation when they see comedians of ethnic minority background11:35 Yuriko's addressing her accent and her appearance at the start of her comedy sets12:38 Kuan-wen addressing the difference between Taiwanese and Chinese first13:31 Western societies likely to believe they know Japan better than they actually do (example: Oyakodon, 親子丼; Pachinko パチンコ)18:02 Basing comedy sets on concepts foreign to the audience21:56 Swearing in English comedy23:37 Different personalities in different languages---------------------------------*Part 2 is separated so that the entire interview does not need to be marked as explicit as one episode. (The discussion centres on western fetishisation of Japanese culture)

The effortlessly charming and cultured Italian comic Luca Cupani, who at some point in his life was more fluent in Latin and in ancient Greek than in English, brought the podcast to a new intellectual level that really challenged your host Kuan-wen to keep up. Renaissance paintings and modern art were casually referenced to and our guest this episode randomly threw away proper Latin phrases rather than made-up Harry Potter words "Expelliarmus!". There was even talks of "cassettes"Meanwhile, Kuan-wen tried to instill the idea of doing exorcism as a side business in Luca's head and banged on and on about pasta.Luca shared how he was told he looked more Polish or English than Italian, that the marketing people think real Italians are TOO Italian, how he ultimately achieved English fluency - despite the accent - in his adult life after receiving poorly designed English lessons in middle school. There was also an interesting discussion on Italian comedy punters.-------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram or Twitter---------------------------------Episode timeline00:38 Intro03:03 Luca's Italian accent as a result of old-fashioned "All grammar, little conversation" teaching04:31 Luca being more fluent in Latin and ancient Greek05:31 UK punters asking Luca to "drop" his accent07:09 Where Luca's blue eyes come from08:30 Notion of how an Italian should look like (10;38 East Asians looking like characters in Mulan more likely to be cast)12:38 Luca used to apologise for his accent early on in his comedy career16:09 Pre-conditioned perspectives; what (some) comedy reviewers expect from foreign comics18:35 A short discussion that is all about PASTA19:53 The Italian test: Italians giving so much fuss about pasta (and good food!)21:10 Differences between Luca performing in English and in Italian23:17 Differences between UK and Italian comedy audiences26:30 How Luca re-learned English himself properly in his 20s & 30s and his frustration29:21 Why Kuan-wen is no longer arsed about perfecting his English pronunciation; how do you pronounce a "HOT DOG"?30:54 Younger Italians having much lighter accents in English thanks to TV streaming32:05 Why Silence of the Lambs was translated as Silence of the Innocent People in Italy?32:51 The non-stop hand gestures34:08 Luca's multi-layered stage persona and self-deprecating jokes36:07 Italian Fascism - topics about being Italian that Luca insists on doing36:41 The pros and cons of the "beautiful" Italian accent39:21 Luca's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show39:35 Luca's social media-------- -------------------------------Luca's Instagram and TwitterLuca's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival show Happy OrphanKuan-wen made a reference to a set by Maisie Adam - her French teacher with a think Yorkshire accent. You can find the clip here.Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabehttps://www.instagram.com/taigenkawabe/

It is not uncommon to name boys after the Norse hammer-wielding god in Norway, but it is a bit weird to use Thor as the first name but also "Odin" (Thor's father in mythology) as the middle name. It does not help that the image of Thor is hijacked by Aussie beefcake Chris Hemsworth, when our second guest of the podcast looks more like a member of a tattoo-free 90s boyband.[The distorted sound has been fixed]Thor and Kuan-wen talk about how some other comics feel they have the free pass to mimic and mock his accent and why he thinks he should be OK with it (Should he?); how he was heckled with "Ja Ja Ding Dong" and a new layer of Norwegian identity is added to him after he left Norway for the UK.-------------------------------------------------Notes for international / non-UK listeners:A Scouse accent is used to describe how people in Liverpool (Northwest England) speak. Thor did not have much of a Scouse accent, but the way he pronounces "Liverpool" shows the influence of Scouse accent. Thor studied in Liverpool. Drag Race UK season 1 winner, The Vivienne, currently on Drag Race All Stars 7, speaks with a Scouse accent on the programme. As for British comedians, John Bishop and Paul Smith are typical examples of Scouser comedians who are household names..---------------------------------------------------If you like the episode, please share it and leave a review. For any comments or suggestions, please contact us on Instagram and email comedywithanaccent@gmail.com------------------------------------Episode timeline:00:40 Intro01:00 All about the name - Thor Odin Stenhaug04:37 Thor's Norwegian accent ("Big Summer Blowout!" from Frozen)05:47 Other comics mimic and mock Thor's accent09:11 Where "Scousers" got their name from09:37 Viking rebranding and Hygge10:24 A layer of identity as "Norwegian" living in the UK11:40 Scandinavian vs Nordic countries12:38 Eurovision movie and Ja Ja Ding Dong13:36 Movie/TV castings that are not accurate (Crazy Rich Asians, Marvel movies)16:08 For Norwegian people, Thor sounds British17:43 Tag questions and the use of "innit!?"18:37 Thor pretended to be English for American tourists19:30 Is Thor's accent strong?20:55 Should a foreign comedian ensure every single word they say is understood?23:23 Thor not putting on a thicker accent impersonating his dad26:30 "Your English is a lot better than my Norwegian"28:16 Authenticity on stage29:23 Being Norwegian - kind of foreign but not too foreign32:35 Thor's social mediaThor's Instagram (@Thortellsjokes)Thor and Freya's 2022 Edinburgh Fringe show-------------------------------Follow Kuan-wen on Instagram (@kuanwencomedy) or Twitter (@kuanwen_huang)Podcast intro music by @Taigenkawabehttps://www.instagram.com/taigenkawabe/

Hailing from Xi-An（西安） , Northwestern China, Chin Wang won the legendary London Comedy Store gong show in March 2021 and has since been on a meteoric rise. Chin and Kuan-wen talked about their occasional 'glitches' switching between English and Mandarin, a veiled constructed criticism on her accent, her move south of Hadrian's Wall from Edinburgh to London and how messing up tones when speaking Mandarin creates confusions.Leave your comments on the podcast's Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/comedywithanaccent/(@comedywithanaccent). You can also email your comments, questions to comedywithanaccent@gmail.comFollow Kuan-wen onInstagram (@kuanwencomedy)TwitterEpisode timeline0:17 Intro1:46 Different English spellings of Chin/Qin's name4:03 Kuan-wen's old English name4:41 The importance of Mandarin's tones6:21 Foreigners and Xiang Sheng 相聲6:44 Taiwanese people's accent when they speak Mandarin8:00 Chin: "I have an accent"8:49 Standard Mandarin v standard English accent(s)10:02 Chin noticed her accent when listening to her own recordings12:04 A feedback implying Chin's accent was too strong13:29 Understanding the Scottish accent15:26. Chin's comedy journey and her Comedy Store Gong Show win19:12. Chin's observational comedy and not relying on Chinese stereotypes21:43. Kuan-wen's attempts at neutralising his accent22:43 Difficulties in switching between Mandarin and English24:08. Kuan-wen's accent in his Comedy Central clip25:12 Chinese Comedy26:54 Difference in Asian comedy audience28:29 Swearing is not the same28:56 Chin's social mediaFollow Chin Wang onInstagram @chinwangqinFacebook @chin.wang.comedy