Is it really so with English native-speakers?
Hi, experts!

Yesterday I read about benefits of watching movies in English and found out an interesting and doubtful (for me) approval:
"You should know that sometimes even Americans can't understand some of the dialogs in English." (F.e. in movies).

Source: http://www.native-english.ru/articles/movies

Is it really so? Cause of the slang or different pronunciation?

This approval contradicts with Russian language that in all diverse forms is clear for all native-speakers. (At least I'm sure of it). :)

Question

Is it really so with English native-speakers?
Hi, experts!

Yesterday I read about benefits of watching movies in English and found out an interesting and doubtful (for me) approval: 
"You should know that sometimes even Americans can't understand some of the dialogs in English." (F.e. in movies).

Source:  http://www.native-english.ru/articles/movies

Is it really so? Cause of the slang or different pronunciation?

This approval contradicts with Russian language that in all diverse forms is clear for all native-speakers. (At least I'm sure of it). :)

Answer

"sometimes even Americans" = very abstract way to talk about people. I mean, out of 300 million Americans, I am sure you can find at least ONE that doesn't understand what the English say. So the article is a load of hogwash. Some might call that ONE American "somebody", others might call it "nobody". 
Don't get taken in too easily, man.

Answer

If there were a dialog that even "a lot of " Americans didn't understand, it would probably be due more to bad recording than to dialect, accent or slang.    I think all Americans would have no problems with these even though they are very far from standard American English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlUcUfHkdYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9g92gdz-1g

Answer

Of course, no one can understand every dialogue in every movie.  But Americans will be able to understand over 97-98% of all American movies, I believe.

Answer

Hi, sometimes the actors don't speak clearly and mumble their words.

Answer

I recently went on vacation and met a Scottish couple.  I probably only understood about 60% of what the man said.  Most of the time I just nodded or pretended I was following him.  His wife, however, I could understand fine.  So it depends.

Answers · 9

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