Accent Modification
[
en Español]
Everyone speaks with an accent. You may speak English with an
accent from a different region in the United States. You may
speak English with an accent because English is not your first
language. You may speak French with an English accent. In our
world today, people move from state to state and from country to
country. One thing that we take with us no matter where we move
is our accent.
What is an accent?
An
accent
is the unique way that speech is pronounced by a group of people
speaking the same language. A person's accent depends on many
factors; however, accents are usually grouped in the following
way:
-
Regional Accents-
for example, people who are from Texas often sound different
than people who are from New York.
-
Foreign Accents-
for example, someone who was raised speaking English will sound
different than someone who was raised speaking Spanish and
learned English as an adult.
Accents are a natural part of spoken languages. It is
important to realize that no accent is better than another. It
should also be stressed that accents are
NOT
a speech or language disorder.
How do accents affect communication?
Accents reflect the unique characteristics and background of a
person. Many people take great pride in their accents. However,
some people may have difficulty communicating because of their
accent. These difficulties include the following:
- People not understanding you
- Avoiding social interaction with those who may not
understand you
- Frustration from having to repeat yourself all the
time
- People focusing on your accent more than on what you are
trying to say
These types of communication problems may have negative
effects on job performance, educational advancement, and everyday
life activities. It may also negatively affect your self-esteem
if you are having trouble communicating because of an accent. For
all of these reasons, some people want to modify or change their
accent.
Can I change my accent?
Yes, with lots of hard work, practice, and the help of a
qualified
speech-language pathologist (SLP)
, you can learn how to change your speech pronunciation. Changing
your accent is also known as
"
accent modification"
or
"
accent reduction."
An SLP can provide services to speakers who want to modify or
reduce their accent. People who receive these types of services
include the following:
- Non-native English speakers
- Speakers who want to reduce a regional accent
- Business and medical professionals who want to improve
their communication skills because of a foreign or regional
accent
- Actors who need to learn a new accent for a role or
performance
What can I expect from a speech-language pathologist?
You should first receive a thorough evaluation of your
individual speech pattern. The SLP will evaluate your:
- Sound pronunciation (consonants and vowels)
- Stress, rhythm, and intonation of speech
You may be asked to read words, sentences, and paragraphs. The
SLP will also listen to your speech in conversation. After all of
this information has been collected, the SLP will determine what
can be done to modify your accent and improve your overall
communication. A set of goals based on your individual needs
should be developed. Training sessions may be individual or in
small groups.
As noted before, speaking with an accent is not a speech or
language disorder. Because of this, services to change your
accent are not covered by insurance. You will need to speak with
your SLP about payment options.
To contact a speech-language pathologist, visit
ASHA's Find a Professional.