Speech and Language

 Speech and Language - Accents

 

Can I eliminate my accent?

Yes you can. Regardless of age, level of education or origin of your accent, you can eliminate your accent with the help of a speech and language therapist. All you need is a commitment  to practice regularly and the motivation to do it! Modification of speech and language is simply improving your awareness of how to make sounds and practicing repeatedly.

 

How did I get an accent?

Each culture has its own ingrained style of how to use its speech and language. An accent occurs when you learn a new language which has sounds that are sometimes completely different from your original speech and language. Your brain tries to compare the new sounds to the sounds it is already familiar with from your original speech and language. If the sounds are unfamiliar, your brain will make the best attempt it can to say the sound correctly, resulting in an accent. Since many of the sounds in the new speech and language already exist in your native speech and language, it is fairly straightforward to identify the differences, create a habit of repetitive practice and completely eliminate the accent.

 

Will losing my accent erase my native accent?

No. Since you will learn a new skill in order to eliminate your accent with a new speech and language, it is a behavior that can be controlled. You will be able to easily revert to your native speech and language as you wish. The choice is always yours.