Why The Russian Accent Terrifies Everyone
AI Summary
The speaker humorously explores how accents, particularly the Russian accent, carry powerful connotations that shape our perceptions of people. He argues that accents are not measures of intelligence but evoke stereotypes—like the French accent being romantic and the Russian accent sounding menacing. He shares personal anecdotes about using a Russian accent to feel safe and suggests it can empower women in uncomfortable situations.
Accents carry strong connotations; for example, the French accent is seen as romantic, while the Russian accent is perceived as dangerous and menacing.
The Russian accent instills fear because of how it sounds, leading people to associate Russians with danger, as seen in geopolitics like the annexation of Crimea.
The speaker uses a Russian accent to feel safe when walking in the dark, imagining himself as the most dangerous thing in the night.
The speaker suggests that women can use a Russian accent to deter unwanted advances, as it makes them seem intimidating.
In a humorous scenario, the speaker advises women to use a Russian accent to shut down persistent partners who pressure them for sex.
The speaker notes that the Russian language itself doesn't frighten him, only the accent does, because an accent is how we interpret someone using our language.
Hearing a man speaking English with a Russian accent sounded like a drug deal, but when he switched to Russian, he seemed like an ordinary immigrant, not a criminal.
Accents shape our perceptions more than the actual language, and understanding this can help us challenge stereotypes and even use accents to our advantage in everyday situations.
Full Transcript
Download .txt[00:01] problems. It's the fear of something that is different. Cuz when people say time they're not referring to immigrants who look and sound like them. They're talking about immigrants who speak differently, who look different.
[00:14] connotation. You think you know if someone is smart or stupid because of accent is not a measure of intelligence. It's just someone speaking your language Accents have connotations. We cannot deny it. Look at the French.
[00:29] romantic. Why? Because of their accents. Because of their accents. They've got that thing.
[00:47] could try to uh Oh my god, he's so sexy.
[00:59] Same thing happens with the Russians. The Russians, the most feared people on the planet. Why? Because of how they speak. deny that when a Russian speaks, you are not comfortable.
[01:19] to kill you, break you. I destroy your family. sounds menacing and dangerous. Yeah, fluffy rabbits and teddy bears.
[01:44] the world, you do not mess with the Russians because of that accent. All of Russians. They do that thing when they speak. Strikes fear into the hearts of men. And you see it. You see it every single day.
[01:58] We found out that the Russians have been doping for the last four, five Olympics. confidently as well. While they were in Zurich.
[02:13] that Russians may no longer participate in the Olympic Games due to their doping practices. And uh you say are now hereby uninvited from the games in Rio and banned here to and into the future. Thank you very much.
[02:27] you say?" >> [laughter] Olympics is for everybody. Yeah, you can come when you want to. I mean, you know, who am I to ban you? Yeah, this is for all of us. Okay, I see
[02:40] you in Rio. Okay, yeah. We will see you then. Bye-bye. You see it when it comes to geopolitics. Look at what happened in the Ukraine.
[02:53] Russia took a piece of another country. Annexed Crimea. No provocation, no Annexed Crimea. No provocation, no reason. Out of nowhere, the Russians were just like, "Yeah, I like."
[03:18] You know how I know this? You know how I've learned? accent for myself. I've learned how to harness that energy and use it for good. I'll share this with you. I don't mind.
[03:32] I uh I'm not particularly comfortable I'm not particularly comfortable in the house at night by myself. Um what I'm trying to say is I'm afraid of the dark.
[03:47] the dark, right? Because there's nothing there nine times out of 10.
[03:59] And in the middle of the night I'll be woken up by the need to pee. I'm always faced with the eternal dilemma. When I go to the bathroom, do I turn the lights on
[04:13] and lose my sleep? Or do I leave the lights off Or do I leave the lights off and myself?
[04:25] But what I started doing now is I leave the lights off. And when I go to the bathroom, I just speak to myself in a Russian accent. And it sounds crazy, but I feel safe. I feel like I'm the most dangerous thing
[04:38] in the night. You'll find me at 3:00 a.m. barefoot walking to the toilet like, "Yes, big boy go to make a peepee." >> [applause] >> "No trouble over here. It's potty time."
[04:52] a monster under the bed, be like, "Is that a Russian?" Russian accent. It made me realize, ladies, every single one of you in this accent. Cuz you read stories all the time. I talk to my female friends all
[05:05] the time, my family members, and women are constantly under assault. Women are walking through the streets, men cat calling. In the office place, people groping, feeling like they have they have
[05:17] know, ladies, we can't solve this tomorrow, but if you learn the Russian accent, half of those problems would disappear. compromising position, you're at a bar waiting for your drink.
[05:31] grinding on you from behind. "Hey, how are you? Hey, you want to dance?" No, no, I'm fine, thank you. I'm I'm just to "Come on, dance with me, girl. Come on." No, no, I'm fine. I don't want to
[05:43] dance, thank you. I'm waiting for my friends. I'm good. "Come on, I know want me. Woo! You know I want you. Come on, I know you want me. YOU, PLEASE. HEY, YOU DON'T GOT TO BE SUCH A YOU KNOW whenever that
[05:57] Don't be afraid. Don't stress. Just whip out your Russian and kill it As soon as he says that, as soon as he's like, "DON'T BE SUCH A BITCH." Just be like, "DON'T BE SUCH A BITCH." Just be like, "You want to see bitch?"
[06:15] Sober up and walk away. Use this for anything, ladies. it at home. Doesn't have to be life or >> [laughter] >> Next time you you're in bed, you're
[06:30] because there's this horny little rabbit behind you. Try humping your back. You know the nights I'm talking about. I'm talking about. Ladies, you're dog tired. You just want
[06:46] to fall asleep. And he's there behind you.
[07:11] What? Are you sleeping? I want you, baby. I've wanted you all night. right now in that nightgown and your curlers, girl. I just want you so bad
[07:27] right now. Oh, baby, thank you for thinking I'm but please, can we talk about this tomorrow? I'm so tired, baby. Aren't you tired? I'm never tired for you, girl.
[07:41] I want you right now. Oh, baby, please. Let's do this tomorrow, please. I'm so tired. I just want to sleep. It's fine. You can sleep. No, I'm not going to >> [laughter]
[08:06] >> Yo, for real, ladies, can I just say, uh, men are creeps. because we are disgusting creeps. Every single one of us. with you? What are you talking about? What do you
[08:19] you. Is that so bad? No, baby, I'm just tired. Yeah, but you said when we left were driving home, and then you were like, "Oh, I can't wait to get you back." Yeah, I know I said that, and I did I wanted to, but then I got into
[08:31] bed. I didn't even realize how tired I was, baby, please. I promise you I'm not I supposed to do now, huh? What am I supposed to do? Look at me now. DO YOU DO YOU KNOW HOW PAINFUL THIS IS? HUH? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW WITH THIS
[08:43] how guys talk about an erection like it's something we bought at the store it's something we bought at the store and we can't return. WITH THIS? I'VE OPENED IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT BACK, HUH? HUH? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO
[08:57] Whenever that happens, ladies, you aren't fighting the man, you're fighting fight that's going to spoil your week, maybe your month. Don't let it happen. dead. As soon as he starts losing it, "You're
[09:12] I JUST WANT YOU." AND JUST BE LIKE, "OKAY. OKAY. Show me what penis can do. Let's go." Make action, lover boy.
[09:30] what? You're right. You're right. I told him I told him, but he wouldn't listen this point, to honest, because you see what had happened was he called me and was like, "You're sleeping?" He's like, "Oh, no, don't worry, I'll wake up."
[09:43] like five times a night. I've never woken you up. I don't know why he woke fact, I had some stuff to do, so you should go back to bed because I respect so if you need me, you know where to find me. But he shouldn't have done that
[09:56] apologize for that cuz I don't think you should ever have to be in this situation where a man is pressuring you to do something.
[10:09] [applause] >> John! All you need is that Russian accent. Most dangerous accents in the world.
[10:21] And yet, and yet, strangely enough, I found the Russian language does not make me fear at all. Strangest discovery I made. The Russian accent
[10:36] makes me fear. The Russian language does not. Because a language is something someone else speaks. An accent is me interpreting how they're using mine.
[10:49] I was walking through the streets one day. There was a man on the phone, Speaking to someone in English. Sounded like he was setting up a drug deal.
[11:01] in my brain. He was walking and he was like, "Yeah, Vlad. This guy's going to going to tell me when you get the package. Uh, afterwards I going to let you know what's up. No, Vlad, no, listen. Vlad, Vlad.
[11:27] >> [applause] >> he instantly went from international criminal to immigrant. Instantly. I wasn't afraid anymore. It was the person in my mind because Russian doesn't frighten me. If anything,
[11:40] Russian just sounds like a DJ is scratching on a turntable. It sounds like a DJ took a turntable and he's scratching English. Like, "Yeah, okay? Yeah, you got to let me know when you get the package. Afterwards, the
[11:55] worry about that. I'll let you know what's happening. No, no, Vlad. And now, Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad.
[12:07] Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Vlad. Russian.