Accent Reduction Blog

Can Accent Reduction Training Work For You?

Are you wondering if committing the time and money to quality accent modification training is worth it?  Will it work for you? Do you fear that you’ve been speaking with an accent for too long, and that making changes will be too difficult? The first and often most difficult part of accent modification involves identifying speech pronunciation and rhythm patterns (or intonation) that are making your speech different from Standard American English.  The next step is to increase your awareness of your speech and learn and practice new patterns so that they eventually become second nature. Studies demonstrate that anyone can reduce their accent. The intensity or origin of your accent, your age, the length of time you have been speaking English,  your level of education – none of these are prohibitive factors when it comes to making changes in your speech. A guided process, motivation and a commitment to regular practice are the most important factors. Anyone and everyone, including you, can reduce or modify their accent.

Why do I have an accent?

Unless you learn to speak a specific dialect of a language as a child (such as Standard American English), you will likely speak it with some level of an accent. Our brains naturally apply any speech patterns we know from out first language to the new language. If a sound is completely new to you, your brain will do its best to approximate the sound to a sound it already knows in your first language. The result is speech that is accented. Rhythm patterns, or intonation, are important features of speech as well. In English, rhythm patterns help the listener comprehend certain words or tune in to the important parts of sentences. If these features are not distinct enough. or if the patterns from your first language or dialect are applied instead, speech will sound accented and may be more difficult to understand.

My accent is part of who I am. I don’t want to eliminate it.

Typically the goal of accent reduction training is not to eliminate an accent but to modify or reduce certain features of the accent so that a person’s speech is more intelligible.  It is very possible to have an accent and also have clear, effective, and professional sounding speech.

Why should I choose to reduce or modify my accent?

People choose to reduce their accent for a variety of reasons.  Some accented speakers are concerned that others do not understand them. They want to end those awkward situations where listeners just nod and smile but clearly don’t understand or repeatedly ask them to repeat themselves. Situations like this can be very time consuming, frustrating, and often embarrassing.

Some accented speakers report feeling less confident about their speech. They admit they often hold back in conversations or meetings even if they have something to contribute.  This hesitation can impact a person’s enjoyment in social situations and quite possibly can inhibit an individual’s likelihood of professional advancement and affect their credibility.

Speaking over the telephone is particularly challenging at times for accented speakers.  This is because there are no visual communication helpers, such as facial expressions, body language, or even lip movements, to assist the conversation.  This can lead to very difficult and awkward communication.

Many people simply choose to reduce or modify their accent to assimilate more with the American culture. They wish to have their listener focus more on what they are saying than the way in which they say it.  Whatever the reason, reducing an accent is achievable for anyone.

Accent reduction training will work for you!

A customized accent reduction program with OneWorld Speech and Language Consulting will help you to modify your speech so that it is closer to Standard American English, the official spoken language in the United States. Standard American English is also the standard for professional and career speech patterns. Clear and articulate speech is critical when conducting business, negotiating, lecturing or participating in any communication interaction.

Successful accent modification is about having an increased awareness of your speech patterns and using new habits. The most important factors include the motivation to make changes and a willingness to practice so that the new patterns become second nature. The result will be clear and understandable speech so that you will look forward to speaking in personal and professional situations with great confidence! 

Will technology leave accented speakers behind?

A recent article in Fast Company points out that some English speakers with Scottish, Southern, and Indian accents are unable to use Apple’s new and much heralded Siri voice recognition system on the new iPhone 4s.

Despite the advances of voice recognition software, it is no surprise that potential problems are arising.  I speak with clients regularly about how one vowel or consonant difference can change “cab” to “cob” or “dog” to “dock”. Given the significant number of speakers who speak English with an accent, Apple will need to step up it’s systems if it wants to retain these consumers.  It also demonstrates yet another benefit of  being aware of the speech differences between accented speech and Standard American English and knowing how to make changes when your accent is making things difficult for you.

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