Meet YouTuber Smoukahontas, the girl who became an internet star in a matter of days with her video “What Language Sound Like To Foreigners”. In it, the bespectacled brunette runs through a long list of languages from Arabic to Japanese, blabbering nonsense word combinations in genuinely impressive accents, resulting in something that sounds to the untrained ear just like the real thing.
accents
From elementary school all the way through high school, Japanese kids are required to study the convoluted subject of English as a second language. It’s an enormous struggle for many, as Japanese natives must familiarize themselves with not only the vocabulary and grammar points, they must adjust their ears to pick up on the plethora of sounds that do not exist in their mother tongue. To top it all off, when the existence of various English accents is brought to light, their brains can become confused even further.
A recent post on a Japanese message board asked people to list the differences between British English and American English. The comments extended far over 100. Here’s what some of the respondents had to say.


Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Marshmallow girls want to cosplay too! Plus-size costumes to be released next fall
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Marshmallow girls want to cosplay too! Plus-size costumes to be released next fall
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Japan’s top five retro hot springs for a time trip back to the onsen past, as chosen by travelers
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
Starbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
Time-slipping travel at a roadside retro spot in northern east Japan【Kita Kanto Brothers】
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
The poop ice cream to end all poop ice creams
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Nara unveils new vending machines that sell deer crackers