A language learners’ forum

The BBC reports that a New Zealand-born MP didn't understand a question posed by a Glaswegian speaker (Video).
I didn't understand everything the first time around, but after the speaker repeated his question I had no problems understanding it.

Yes.

I'm an American. I didn't have trouble with the accent in the video. But, I think that speaker is speaking kind of slow, and my typical experience is that I have a lot of trouble understanding Scottish English when it is spoken at a regular speed.

In 1988 I got stationed in Berlin...sorry, WEST Berlin. Up to that point I had only studied Spanish (8th-10th grade) and Russian (DLI). I'd never heard German, at least as far as I knew at the time.

One of the guys I worked with played rugby with a U.S. Army team in an international league, so one Saturday I decided to go with some friends from work to watch the game. I had no idea what team they were playing.

Sitting on the side of the pitch (I learned that word that day, as well), the other team huddled nearby me and my friends from work. They were energetically talking to each other about who knows what. I couldn't understand a word they were saying. I assumed it was German, but wasn't sure.

I asked one of my friends, who was fluent in German, what language they were speaking.

"Um, English. You know. Your native language."

I listened closer. Sure as hell, they were speaking English. But the only word I understood, and the word they said every 3 to 4 words, was f^%k. (Turns out my friend's team was playing the Scottish Black Watch team.)

Long story short, Yes, I have trouble understanding Scottish "English".

What, they speak English? Why wasn't I told about this !!!???

I love hearing Scottish English, but I sometimes find it not just difficult but impossible to understand. I was able to understand this guy though, and I only stumbled during his second whack at the question over the word "refurbishment".

I had no trouble understanding it, but of course, I was prepared for Scottish. If someone spoke to me like that and I wasn’t prepared, I probably wouldn’t understand at first. That happens to me sometimes even with languages and dialects I know well.

I could understand the politician in that video fine, but I had to really pay attention. And in general, that's my experience with stronger Scottish accents; comprehension in the presence of some mental effort. The milder accents are no different than Irish or Australian ones for me.

I didn't really follow him until he repeated the question, but then it was a lot easier.

The lad in the second clip just spoke fast. I listened to it twice, and it was easier the second time.

(I'm not a native speaker of English, but I've had some exposure to Scottish English through music and TV).

I got the point of the question right at first & on the repeate but in both cases I know I missed words.

If I could switch my English to Scottish though I'd totally do it.