Guess their Nationality
On the Street

 
 
 

Vocabulary

 

excited reaction interview (2)
fair (3) cool (3) approach (2)
guess barbecue nationality
clue terrible excuse me
place trace (2) shoot/shot/shot (2)
hint double appearance
triple go with I’ll go with (2)
accent literally temperature
hint humble distinguish
beef stuff (2) think/thought/thought (2)
steak right now in general, generally
zone definitely speak/spoke/spoken
expect get it (2) interesting
victim episode participate
skin dessert meet/met/met (2)
Nordic shape (2) pick up (3)
island Iceland absolutely
tiny continent too hard (2)
wide right (5) long/longer/longest
kind of crazy (2) sound (3)
let’s go colonize good/better/best
blond slash (2) ginger (2)
pot horrible hard time
melt raise (3) geography
exact pretty (2) find/found/found
clue surprise melting pot (2)
origin too easy stand/stood/stood (2)
typical fly back fly/flew/flown
busy keep (2) challenge
accept obvious close/closer/closest
looks weed (2) figure out
bit (2) figure (2) I have no idea
far off innocent impressive
fluent random easy/easier/easiest
mixed Ireland nowadays
enjoy judge (3) it’s hard to tell
native process embarrassed

 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

Hello!

Julia: Hi I’m Julia.
Miguel: And I’m Miguel.
Julia: We’re going to be doing today a Street interview.

I’m super excited to do that; I’ve never been stopped by someone doing a street interview. I’m kind of excited to do that.

Now I know you did it before right?

Miguel: Yeah I’ve done it a few times before — and I love it!
I think it’s so cool to see people’s reaction to getting approached.
Julia: They usually get like . . . yeah.
There may be people who will be like, ‘Sorry. No . . . No . . . No camera, no.
Miguel: That’s the fun of it!
Julia: I’m super excited; I don’t know how they’re going to react.

So for the first episode, what are we going to do?
Miguel: We’re going to try and see if we can distinguish people’s nationalities just by their look — and if people can distinguish our nationalities by the look.
Julia: I don’t think I’m going to guess anybody; I’m terrible with that.
Miguel: I don’t think they’re going to guess us either.
Julia: Nobody ever gets my nationality. Never ever.
So first we’re going to try to guess where they’re from — and then once they tell us we’re going to try to talk to them in their native languages.

Miguel: Let’s go!
 

Round 1

Julia: Hi! Excuse me.
Miguel: We’re shooting a video here.
Julia: Is it okay?
Person One: Yes.
Julia: In our interview, we’re trying to find out what are people’s nationalities. I have no clue if we’re going to guess that right but we’re going to try we’re going to give our best.

Please first things first: what is your name?

Ana: My name is Anna.
Julia: That’s not an Asian name.
Miguel: Could be from many places.
Julia: Without asking anything, I have no clue.
Ana: You already guys know my name, so kind that you already have it.
Miguel: I feel like you could be like Latina — but Anna, Anna is a very . . .
Julia: It’s a very Latin name . . . wait it could also be a Russian name.

I don’t know: she has like very big eyes — but I see some traces of Asian in here.
Miguel: I would say like Central Asian maybe. How about like some Kazakhstan Uzbekistan. Russia is a good guest. Should we go with Russia?
Julia: Russia is a good guess. Okay no.
Miguel: I’ll go with Russia.
Julia: I’m going to go with somewhere in Europe.

Ana: I could give a hint: my name is spell A. N. A. There is no double “n”

Julia: She doesn’t have an accent though.
Miguel: Okay, I’ll go with Russia.
Julia: I’ll go with Italy. I’m literally just guessing anything right now; I have no idea. So by appearance I’m guessing you’re from Italy; he’s guessing you’re from Russia.

So now let’s get some hints from where you from. What are some typical foods in your country?
Ana: We have a lot of barbecue and meat.
Miguel: Germany, maybe?
Ana: Our country is really famous for cow’s meat (beef).
Ana: Brazilian.
Miguel: I was thinking maybe Argentina, no? Argentinians are famous for their steak and stuff.
Julia: Are you famous for barbecue or meat in general?
Ana: Both.
Miguel: Okay I’m changing to Argentina. I think I think she could be very like Latin and she has the name like Anna with one n which is a very important thing cuz if it was like two “N’s” it would be like more Nordic.

The temperature in the country, is it all normally warm?
Ana: Actually, it depends on the zone of the country.
Miguel: It’s definitely South America.
Ana: We have like snows every time during winter — and we have some places it doesn’t even snow.
Miguel: I think it could be Chile; Chile has the part with mountains and snow, and the beach part, and whatever.

So are you from South America?
Ana: Yeah, that’s right.
Miguel: Is Messi from your country?
Ana: Ah, come on that’s so . . .
Miguel: Argentina!

Julia: Did you expect us to speak your language?
Ana: Actually I did.
Julia: You did?
Ana: I did; but only for him, but not for you. I don’t know; you look more like German more like those kind of . . .
Miguel: Ooo. Interesting.
 

Round 2

Miguel: Time to find our next victim.
Julia: Let’s go for the park; I want to go close to the park . . .

Hi excuse me. Hi we’re doing interview right now, would you like to participate in our interview?
Random Person, 2: Okay.
Julia: Oh, it’s okay, yeah. Nice to meet you. What’s her name?
Elena: Elena.
Julia: Elena . . . there’s Elena’s like in everywhere. Everywhere.
Miguel: You look European.
Julia: Yes, you have like a very fair skin. I don’t know if you’re naturally Ginger or not.
Elena: Yeah naturally. But you are going to be shocked.
Julia: Oh really? So she’s not from a country where she would look . . . I would guess Ireland.
Miguel: I would probably go with a Nordic European country maybe like Denmark, Germany, or something like that.
Elena: No.
Miguel: Can you give us like a hint?
Elena: It’s a country with a very interesting shape.
Julia: Shape? Tell me a food that is very famous in country.
Elena: That will be too easy, I guess.
Julia: That would be too easy — I know where it is from. People tell me if it’s right (Brazil). Which country continent from?

Elena: Continent? America.
Julia: Oh wait. Wait, wait, wait. Okay I don’t know. I don’t know. What country in America has an interesting shape? It’s like long and wide. Or would you say is super tiny, crazy tiny?
Elena: Very long.
Miguel: It’s Chile.
Julia: You’re from Chile!
Miguel: YEAH!

Julia: Did you expect us to guess that?
Elena: Yeah, I think like by saying it’s a interesting shape, it is the only country that is very long.
Julia: Very long, the longest country in the world right?
Elena: Yeah.

Miguel: I would never have guessed you’re from South America.
Julia: Me neither; I absolutely wouldn’t have.
Elena: I do have a German background.
 

Round 3

Miguel: It’s a beautiful day outside today — perfect for some streets interviewing.

Julia: Yeah.
Miguel: Let’s try talk with this girl.

Julia: Hi! My name is Julia and I would like to make an interview with you. Would that be okay?
Person Number 3: Yeah that would be fine!
Julia: Oh, thank you so much!

Miguel: So you said your name is . . .
Angie: Angie (Anchi). But I have to say Angie is my nickname; my actual name is Anica (Anitsa).
Miguel: That sound Russian.
Julia: Italian!
Miguel: Italian? No, Russian.
Julia: Russian?
Angie: I would say Russian is a better guest, but Italian is geographically near.
Miguel: Or she could be also from from Turkey.
Julia: Annitsa, that sounds so Italian for me; like pizza.
Anica: Like pizza.
Miguel: My guess is Turkey.
Julia: I will go with you; I will go with Turkey as well.
Anica: Well you’re not completely wrong: we were colonized by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years.
Miguel: So it’s like Eastern Europe slash Central Europe.
Julia: A famous food in your country.
Anica: Well my personal favorite food is sarma.
Julia: Is that famous in your country?
Anica: I guess it is. You know cevapcici?
Miguel: That sounds Greek.
Anica: No it’s not, but it’s like . . .
Julia: Kebab!
Anica: No, it’s not. Or maybe like pita. We also have baklava, but I guess that’s from Turkish; I guess we have that from the Turkish.
Miguel: Turkish desserts and stuff are very famous in like Central Europe cuz there’s many Turkish people, right?

Anica: So it’s Southeastern Europe.
Julia: I’m going to have such a hard time — I’m horrible with geography, especially when it comes to Europe.
Anica: Do you know what’s up Greek?
Miguel: No. Moldova . . . no Albania?
Anica: Up.
Miguel: Northern Macedonia.
Anica: ONE more up.
Miguel: Croatia?
Anica: One more DOWN.
Miguel: Uh . . .
Julia: God damn it, how do you know all of these?

Anica: It’s Serbia.
Miguel: Ah, Serbia.
Anica: We speak Serbian, but I was born and raised in Germany.

Anica: Oh that’s pretty good.
Julia: That’s all I know how to say in German. Did you expect us to get closed there?
Anica: To Serbia? Not at all since I’ve been in Korea, I haven’t met anyone who knows Serbia.

And Germany is kind of known, because they have a lot of immigrants from Southeast so they always know you must be from the Balkan area. They get it immediately. Or they also think I’m Turkish.
That’s why when people ask me where are you from, I said Germany, and then they’re say, ‘but you are not tall, blonde, and blue eyes.’

You know, we are a Melting Pot: we have different people.
Miguel: Especially Munich.
Anica: Exactly.
Julia: Did you expect him to speak in German?
Anica: Not at all. Why is your sister in Germany? How did that happen?
Miguel: I grew up in a German school; that’s why.
Anica: I see. So that’s why your German is so good.
Miguel: Oh thank you, thank you.

Round 4

Julia: We have to find someone.
Miguel: We’ve been looking for a while, though . . .
Julia: Yes! Excuse me, excuse me — can I do an interview with you?
Random Person, 4: Sure, no problem.
Miguel: Just by looks, where do you think he is from?
Julia: No clue; I have no clue. I would say Europe
Miguel: I wouldn’t be so sure about Europe; I don’t know.
Julia: Really?
Miguel: Honestly, if you’d said you’re from like northern Europe I wouldn’t be surprised.
Random Person, 4: Okay.
Miguel: And he’s tall . . . you’re very tall.
Julia: But where? Iceland.
Miguel: I’d go with Sweden.
Julia: I’ll go with Iceland.

Random Person, 4: You’re both wrong. I’m from northern Europe.
Julia: What food that is very famous in your country?
Random Person: That is going to be too easy.
Miguel: Too easy okay okay then . . . I think it’s either Italy or France because they have the most easy foods, right?
Julia: I would guess Italy, then.
Miguel: You could be French.
Random Stranger: Well, I’m from France but I do have some Italian origin, so you’re both correct.
Julia: Wow!

Julia: Did you expect us to get your country?
Random Person, 4: I did, because many people told me I look French.
Miguel: It doesn’t surprise me that you’re French, but honestly it wouldn’t be my first guess.
Random Stranger, 4: Yeah as long as I don’t talk.
Julia: Were you expecting him to speak French with you?
French Man. No, not at all.
Julia: I heard you saying, ‘oh your French is very good.’
Frenchman: Yeah it’s true; how come do you speak French?
Miguel: I had French class for eight years.
Frenchman: Okay, as a second language?
Miguel: Yes.
 

Round 5

Miguel: Searching for random people to interview on the street. This is going to be interesting.
Julia: We’ve got to try to pick up people who are either alone or standing by more.
Miguel: Wow, this street is busy.
Julia: So busy . . . . oh we could ask them . . . Hi! Excuse me, can I make an interview with you girls?
Girl 1: Sure.
Julia: Thank you a lot!

Girl 1: So our friend is living here — she’s studying here — so we were visiting her.
Julia: Oh that’s so nice.
Miguel: Ten days.
Girl 1: Tomorrow we’re flying back.
Julia: Oh, my god, already?

Miguel: All right you shouldn’t tell us where you’re from because it’s part of the video.
Julia: It’s part of the challenge.

Julia: Hi girls; nice to meet you. I’m Julia. Today we’re going to be doing an interview with you thank you for accepting it.

First of all we’re going to try to find out where girls are from just by looks.
Miguel: I would say you look northern European . . .
Julia: Yes, I would go for that too.
Miguel: Denmark Sweden.
Julia: Iceland.
Girl 2: Blue eyes
Julia: Blue eyes, Blond hair.
Miguel: Maybe a little bit of the style, I guess.
Julia: My first guess would be Iceland.
Miguel: But actually hearing them speak English, I feel like they’re from an English speaking country.
Julia: Like in the UK.
Girl 1: Wait which one did you guess?
Julia: Like in the UK I didn’t.
Miguel: I would guess Australia or New Zealand.
Julia: She got the tan that could be.
Miguel: Just out of appearance, I think my final guess would be New Zealand.
Julia: New Zealand. I’ll go for Iceland; I’ll keep Iceland.
Girl 1: You are very far off (pointing to Miguel).
Julia: Am I closer?
Girl 1: You are definitely closer. My mom’s side of the family is American, so I guess that’s why my English sounds a bit more American . . . But we are not from there.
Julia: Is it from Europe?
Girl 1: Yes, it’s in Europe.
Miguel: I think it has to be a northern European country like Finland.

Julia: What is a favorite food in your country?
Girl 1: I mean we do have two, but I think it’s too obvious.

Julia: Is it cold in your country?
Girl 2: Most of the time.
Miguel: I’ll guess Denmark.
Girl 1: Cheese is crazy in our country.
Miguel: Oh, Switzerland.
Julia: Switzerland.
Girl 1: Oh no, but you’re getting closer. I think the whole country is known for weed.
Miguel: Oh, you’re from the Netherlands.
Girl 1 and 2. Yeah!

Julia: I think I’m too innocent for this world: I had no idea.
Girl 1: Most of the tourists we see there are all coming to smoke.
Julia: I had no idea. And what do you what language do you girls speak?
Girl 1 and 1: Dutch. Dutch. I’m fluent in English, and then I’m learning a bit of Spanish.
Girl 1: Impressive though, still learning; you know Duolingo. Still I’m doing that.
Julia: Could you speak a little bit in your own language among yourself?
Girl 1: Oh yeah! Oh my god! Beer and salmon with cheese.
Julia: I want to learn how to say I don’t speak Dutch in Dutch.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .


 

Julia: How was it for you, figuring out people’s nationalities?
Miguel: It wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t as easy as I was expecting —I thought it was just going to be easier, you know.
Julia: I think we we did a good job actually; but it was not easy, especially the Chilean girl: she was absolutely not Chilean-looking.
Miguel: And the Argentinian girl too. If you listen to someone speak English then it’s easier than just by looks.
Julia:Yeah especially cuz like nowadays everything is like so mixed and all the countries have places people from so many different places that it’s really hard to tell.

But I enjoyed his very much.

Miguel: I got a little bit humble; I had thought I knew.
Julia: I knew I was going to suck from the very beginning: I was like I’m going to be bad at that.
Miguel: It was challenging speaking their languages to them: there’s always this fear of like being judged or you’re like Huh?!? And then it’s kind of awkward.
Julia: I’m kind of happy though that we didn’t have a Japanese person here cuz I would be feeling so embarrassed.
Miguel: But if you’re learning a new language, you just got to try it out and not feel judged by the other person.
Julia: What makes me feel better about trying up the other languages and speaking with native speakers especially is telling them right away, ‘I’m learning I’m better at it I’m still like getting used to it,’ so that they don’t have expectations and then I can feel more comfortable to make mistakes.
Miguel: And realistically people are so nice when you say you’re learning their language.
Julia: They feel so happy, they’re like, ‘Oh my god! You speak it so well!
Miguel: You just said like two words; you’re fluent.
Julia: So don’t be afraid of learning a language and speaking to people; that’s the process of learning.

Miguel: Today we try to guess other people’s nationalities on the streets just by their looks.
Julia: And talk to them in their languages. So if you like this video don’t forget to leave your like subscribe to the channel and comment down below we’ll see you next time. Bye.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 

Questions

 

Look British, Look Spanish. This video took place in a TV studio. True or false?

Blonde, Fair Hair. Did everyone on the street cooperate with and talk to Julia and Miguel?

Brunette, Dark Hair. Miguel and Julia asked random strangers what they thought about Donald Trump. Is this right or wrong?

Tall, Short. Did the first person have a Turkish, Indian, or Korean name? Where did Julia and Miguel think Ana was from?

Medium-Height. Do people in Ana’s country eat lots of salads, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, spinach? Is her nation tropical, desert, Mediterranean, temperate, alpine, or does it vary?

Slim, Thin, Skinny. Elena comes from a round island. Is this correct or incorrect? Describe her appearance. Were Miguel and Julia surprised when they learned what Elena’s nationality was?

Overweight, Obese, Fat. Angie (Anitsa) looks Latin American. Miguel and Julia thought Angie was from Colombia. Do you agree?

Muscular, Heavy Set. Does Angie like hamburgers, hotdogs, and pizza? Are both Julia and Miguel good in geography?

Long, Narrow Head. The tall man was from Iceland. Yes or no? Was he surprised by Miguel?

Broad Face, Round Head. Were the two women from Switzerland or New Zealand? Is their favorite food shawarma?
 
 
 
Mustache, Beard. I can always tell the nationality or ethnicity of strangers. Yes or no? Do you or can you recognize certain nationalities?

Straight Hair, Wavy Hair, Curly Hair Have people been able to identify your nationality? Have strangers asked what nationality you are? Have strangers asked if you were English, Irish, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Persian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian?

Style, Fashion. Have you or your friends ever been interviewed (by journalists or bloggers)?

Long Hair, Short Hair, Bald. Would you or your friends like to interview strangers? Would you or your friends like to be interviewed?

Asian-Looking, Latin-Looking, Nordic-Looking. Some people like to be interviewed, while others don’t want to be interviewed. What do you think?

Language, Dialect, Accent. What might happen in the future?
 
 
 
 
 

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