Culture Clash Parenting

Lost in Intonation: It's Not Always What You Say....

Astrid Block & Marisa Raymond Season 1 Episode 16

In this episode, we dive into the musicality of language and explore how intonation—the rise and fall of our voices—can completely shape how we're understood (or misunderstood!) across cultures. From Gary Oldman’s method acting insights to awkward restaurant moments, we share how intonation influences identity, communication, and connection, especially when raising kids across languages. Join us as we laugh, cringe, and unpack how saying the same words can land very differently in German, French, and American cultures.

Topics Discussed:

  • What intonation is and why it matters in communication
  • “She’s not rude, she’s German” – how tone can cause cross-cultural misunderstandings
  • Language learning, emotional expression, and being misunderstood
  • How intonation affects parenting and how switching languages can de-escalate emotional arguments

Your Turn!

What’s your experience with intonation in different languages? Has someone ever misunderstood you because of your tone?

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Culture Clash Parenting is lovingly produced by Astrid and Marisa, fueled by laughter, late-night texts, and a shared passion for embracing the chaos that comes with raising multicultural children. We believe in the power of storytelling to create a more peaceful, patient, and equitable world.

Music and editing by
Lonely Heaven Music

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