Accent reduction training and group classes for professionals.

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.