Poll Day - You Have A Funny Accent

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

[Poll #1954403]

Comments

[chreesko.livejournal.com]

Heh, I couldn't resist from clicking on a poll option that started "Illya is sensitive..." even though I sort of hate that trope in fanfic.

I also couldn't decide between English and French. French was the language of intellectuals back in the day, but then he might not have been paired with Napoleon if he didn't speak English, and that would have been sad.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Polling is for the series, Right? Not fanon?

[carabele.livejournal.com]

Originally posted this on the wrong comm, so reposting here.

I look at it from this angle: We know Napoleon was in the military before joining U.N.C.L.E. I believe he had some role in military intelligence at some point (even though his military career had to be pretty short) and it was required he learn to read/speak/write Russian. So, when U.N.C.L.E. got its first Russian field agent, Napoleon was the logical choice for a partner.

I also think Napoleon's Russian accent would be more than adequate. We know he didn't have a bad accent with every non-native language he spoke. His Italian accent, as showcased in the series, is very good. So that thing with the "bad" French accent: I explain that (as do many others) with the Quebecois angle. But as well I think Illya just liked to tease him because he could. Let's face it: Illya's own French accent as showcased in the series is very "school-boy taught".

[carabele.livejournal.com]

Originally posted this in the wrong comm, so reposting here.

And you know, the more I think on it, the more the idea, if Illya spoke only one other language, it would be German, makes sense. Because he would have had to deal with Nazi occupation in Russia during WWII.

But then again the Russians during that occupation might have purposely avoided learning/speaking the language of their oppressors.

So I'll stick with my original answer on that one of French because we know he stuided at the Sorbonne. I can't imagine the Russian government sending him for an education in a place where he wouldn't be able to take full advantage due to a language barrier.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Sensitive, charming and charismatic. Oh wait, that's my perfect man ;) Glad you stopped by and cast your votes.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was regarding the series. Sometimes fanon even lines up with the series.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I thought of the possibility of him learning Russian while in the military, but then Korea wouldn't require it, in spite of the Soviet backing of North Korea. It makes sense that he would learn it by working with a Russian.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

great poll! In regards to Illya speaking English, it would make sense in that UNCLE was geared towards that language and in order to function with the organization he'd need to speak English, given he'd been assigned to London and then to New York.

[carabele.livejournal.com]

Yes, but the U.S. was in the middle of a cold war with the U.S.S.R. So, if (and this is just my speculation because of who Napoleon is) Solo had been at all connected to military intelligence, it would likely be required he learn Russian.

[carabele.livejournal.com]

And of course there is another possible angle as well. That being, since we know one of Napoleon's grandfathers was an ambassador and the other was an admiral, both those men might have thought it prudent for their grandson to learn Russian because: a) Russia being an ally during WWII, and then b) the subsequent emergence of the Cold War between the two nations.

Frankly (and again personal opinion here) I don't think Illya would have the time or inclination to teach Napoleon Russian once the two were partnered. (Illya, after all, did not emphasize his "Russian-ness" in the series. And, in this regard, I'm really looking forward to seeing how the new movide handles Illya's Soviet connection.)