The TRUTH About Accents
What Others REALLY Think When You Speak
What can I do about my accent?
Answers to these questions are a concern for millions of people. Whether you are ESL (English as a second language) or speak English with a regional dialect, it is very important you keep reading. In this article we address the sensitive topic of accents and answer these questions.
Warning! Some readers may find the views below controversial. We speak openly and honestly about accents. By exposing the truth about accents Varinations does not condone it. The goal is to bring awareness and present a solution for those impacted by it. We apologize to those who may take offense.
WHAT IS AN ACCENT AND DO I HAVE ONE?
An accent is a difference in the way a person pronounces speech relative to the standard speech of the region they live. In this article an accent is a difference in pronunciation relative to Standard North America English. Standard North America English is widely spoken throughout Canada and The United States; it is commonly accepted as neutral. Due to its prevalence in television and film it is also called “Network Standard”.
People with accents fall in to one of three categories:
1. The first type of accent is that of someone who speaks English as a secondary language. Their English originates from outside an English speaking country. Their mother tongue could be any language from French to Hindi, Mandarin to German. No matter what your first language is, unless you moved to North America and learned English at a young age, chances are high you have an accent. It could be harming you.
2. The second type of accent is that of someone who speaks English as their first language but their English originates from outside North America. These include English speakers from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and others. Unless you moved to North American at a young age you likely have an accent and it could be harming you.
3. The third type of accent is that of someone who speaks English as their first language but with a regional accent originating from within North America. These North American accents include: Upper Mid-West, Great Lakes, Midland, Southern, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, New York, New England, and Maritime. If you originate from one of these regions and move to another part of North America you probably have an accent. It could be harming you.
North Americans are usually polite towards those with accents. With this said, stereotypes still persist and aspects of human nature can interfere with the best intentions. Like it or not, some accents are more accepted in North America than others. Accents originating from South and East Asia (e.g. India, China, and the Philippines), Eastern Europe (e.g. Russia), South America, and Africa may have a harder time than those from Western Europe. Even among the accents of Western Europe acceptance can vary. For example, the United Kingdom has many dialects. A Londoner may have more acceptance in North America than someone from Northern England or the Scottish Highlands.
IS MY ACCENT HARMING ME?
Conversation is not just what you say; it is also HOW you say it. Does your speech mirror your intended message? Is your listener receiving and understanding your message clearly? Does your pronunciation represent the self-image you want to project?
In English there are commonly spoken words which, if pronounced even slightly incorrect, may be interpreted by your listener in a negative way. When mispronounced these words sound humorous, rude, or even insulting. Some of these words are integral to your work and spoken many times a day. Continuously mispronouncing these words makes you appear ignorant and less intelligent than you really are. It lowers your credibility. These sensitive words must be pronounced correctly 100 percent of the time without exception. Anything less can cost you promotions, money, relationships, and other opportunities.
No matter your background it is OK to have an accent provided it is not preventing you from achieving your goals. If locals communicate and relate to you as an equal your accent is acceptable. If however, you are struggling with your Career, Education, or Relationships, your accent could be the primary cause. You should re-evaluate its true impact. If people ever ask you to repeat what you say your accent is harming you. Everyone is different so only you can judge if your accent is holding you back.
Have you ever heard the CEO of a Fortune 500 company speak with poor pronunciation? Leaders are always effective communicators. Many people with accents feel frustrated because they are not advancing in their career. Colleagues with less experience or seniority are promoted and pass them by. “What do they offer that I don’t?” they wonder. “I have the education. I have experience”. To beat the competition they believe getting another degree or certificate will give them the advantage needed. Formal education and professional experience are important but do not address the fundamental issue, your accent. People do not perceive you as an effective communicator. Perhaps you do not see YOURSELF as an effective communicator. The further up the corporate ladder you wish to climb the more communication is required. You must get to the source and improve your pronunciation. Do this and your accent will neutralize. Your confidence will increase and opportunities will come.
Some ESL students have excellent grammar, vocabulary, and written skills. On paper they are fluent yet when they speak no one can understand them. In day-to-day conversation most people are not interested in ESL scores. They simply want to talk with you.
Relationships can also be seriously affected by accents. Those with accents are often shy. They are afraid to participate in conversation with a stranger, particularly if that stranger is a local. Whether you are looking to meet friends or a life partner, meaningful conversation is the first step. A neutral accent increases confidence. It opens the door to meeting exciting new people and forming lasting relationships.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY ACCENT?
Now you have an understanding of what an accent is and how it impacts your opportunities. If your accent is holding you back you need to take control and reduce it to an acceptable level. This is called Accent Modification or Accent Reduction.
Reduction vs. Elimination
You notice we say Accent Reduction and not Accent Elimination.
Accent Elimination is the process of removing all traces of your accent, effectively making you a native speaker. Although complete elimination is the ultimate goal, for most people it is usually very difficult to achieve. Youth generally have better success at accent elimination than adults.
Accent Reduction is the process of correcting your pronunciation. The goal is to minimize your accent to the point where it no longer harms you or holds you back. Everyone can reduce their accent.
Fortunately, for the purpose of interacting with locals, it is usually not necessary to eliminate your accent completely. However, it is necessary to reduce your accent. Tolerance for accents varies from person to person and region to region. Native speakers have a reasonable threshold for accents provided they can communicate with you effortlessly.
Accent vs. Heritage
It should be noted that accents and heritage are separate. Accent Reduction is the process of improving your pronunciation. It is not intended to eliminate your culture, heritage, or identity. North America was built on multiculturalism. Heritage is treasured and everyone has a story to tell. Clear communication is necessary to tell that story. Reduce your accent but nurture and promote your heritage.
THE “WHAT” RESPONSE
Everyone has a “What” response no matter how polite, educated, cultured, or tolerant. “What” is the reaction triggered in your listener any time effort is required to understand you. Occasionally your listener will say what they think but typically “What” is a silent reflex in the back of your listener’s mind.
When native speakers communicate together they do so effortlessly. One person speaks, the other listens, and the message is instantly understood. No thought processing is required. Because interaction is effortless, native speakers relate to each other as equals.
When a native speaker listens to a heavy accent their attention shifts from what you are saying to how you are saying it. The processing that should be instant is delayed and communicating with you is no longer natural. Your listener’s subconscious knows something is wrong and the resulting response is “What?”.
This reaction has deeper meanings. When someone reacts with “What?” they are really thinking:
“Why is your accent so strong?”
“Something is not right in this conversation.”
“I don’t understand you.”
“WOW, you sure have an accent! You really should fix that!”
“This is too much work. Are you done?”
“You just offended me!”
“Why can’t you speak like me? ”
“You just said a dirty word! That’s hilarious!”
“You sound weird.”
“I don’t trust you. ”
“You are not like me and I don’t relate to you.”
These responses may seem harsh and insensitive. Native speakers do not intend to think this way and many are not even aware. The “What” response is simply a reflex. Nonetheless, we must acknowledge it occurs and understand it could corrupt your message and damage your credibility.
Therefore, to be accepted by your listener, it is critical your accent be in line with their accent tolerance. This is done through Accent Reduction. Communication that is natural avoids the “What” response. People are able to see your personality rather than your accent. You are an equal participant in the conversation and more importantly, equal as a person.
The good news is that modifying and reducing your accent is completely doable. It just takes a little time, practice, and help. Thankfully Varinations has the help you need.
Introducing SPEAK UP! The North American English Accent Reduction Program from Varinations.
SPEAK UP! Accent Reduction Program
WHY YOU HAVE AN ACCENT AND HOW SPEAK UP! WORKS
Why do some people lose their accent quickly while others have a thick accent for life? The most common reasons why your accent does not improve are:
1. You are unaware your pronunciation needs correcting.
2. You are too embarrassed to ask for help.
3. You have isolated yourself and native speakers are not available to correct you.
4. Native speakers are too polite to correct you unless you ask.
5. You can’t invest the time required to improve.
6. You do not want to change or be corrected.
Let’s look at these reasons more closely.
Awareness of your pronunciation is key to reducing your accent. Maybe no one taught you correct pronunciation. Maybe you have fallen in to bad habits. You repeatedly mispronounce the same words because you are unaware and on autopilot. Even though you are not aware of your error, your listener is aware. They politely smile as you continue speaking but the damage is done. These situations can seriously affect how people perceive you. Sometimes the impression you make is irreversible.
SPEAK UP! makes you aware. As you practice your pronunciation you continuously listen and compare. You learn to listen as you speak. Any differences in pronunciation are immediately obvious and you can instantly make changes.
SPEAK UP! eliminates the embarrassment of learning in public and gives you confidence to succeed. Practice in the privacy of your home or car. As your pronunciation improves so will your confidence.
People with exposure to authentic native English have more neutral accents than those without. A common reason your accent suffers is your colleagues, friends, and family speak with accents. Maybe they do not speak English at all. Exposure to an authentic accent is critical to improvement.
SPEAK UP! gives you access to an authentic native English speaker.
Do not assume native speakers will correct you if you make a mistake. Most will not. It is considered impolite and even insulting to correct someone’s accent without permission. The truth is correcting your mistake is the best thing they could do for you. Just don’t take it personally.
SPEAK UP! is here to correct you.
It can be a challenge to find time to improve for people with busy schedules. Even a few minutes of practice a day can make a big difference in your accent.
SPEAK UP! is ready anytime, every time.
When someone with an accent does not want to change it is usually because they see their accent as part of their identity. They are afraid if they lose their accent they will lose this identity. Their accent is a banner proudly reminding others (and themselves) of their culture and heritage. Accent and heritage are separate. It is possible to reduce your accent and promote your heritage at the same time.
A desire to improve is the one thing you must provide. If you do not want to change that is your decision. However, the fact you are reading this shows you are ready for change.
SPEAK UP! from Varinations will help you.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully now you understand the truth about accents. You understand how locals react to them, and how your accent affects you. If you have an accent that is holding you back the next step is to take control and reduce it. Download SPEAK UP! from Varinations and begin reducing your accent today.
Learn more about the SPEAK UP! North American English Accent Reduction Program.
