Overcoming the Accent Barrier. Can You Change Your Accent?

Overcoming the Accent Barrier: Can You Truly Change How You Sound?

A recent news article "Can’t shake your accent? Experts say that’s normal, but so can be the discrimination that comes with it" highlights a common challenge for immigrants and language learners: the persistence of their native accent.

A couple of professors from University of McGill highlight that despite a person’s best attempts, it becomes difficult to change one's accent past childhood, and there will almost always be signs that hint at the fact that you’re not a local or native speaker.

The article explains that our ability to acquire a perfect "native-speaker" accent is largely confined to early childhood. This "critical period" for language acquisition, as described by Dr. Charles Boberg, allows children to effortlessly absorb the nuances of their environment, including subtle variations in pronunciation and speech patterns.

Dr. Marc Pell, a James McGill professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University, agrees. “The idea is that by the time you’re nine or 10 years old, we’d no longer have the ability to learn a new language in exactly the way a native speaker would produce it,” he said. “There is sort of a maturation of those muscles and their connections with the brain.” (see footnote for reference)

However, this doesn't mean that accent reduction is impossible for adults. While achieving a completely native-sounding accent may be difficult, significant progress can be made with dedicated effort and the right guidance. The key is learning how to use the muscles in your mouth and how to articulate to make sounds like a native American speaker.

Accent Reduction Training: A Path to Clearer Communication

Accent reduction training focuses on:

• Identifying and isolating specific sounds: Pinpointing the differences between your native pronunciation and the target accent.

• Developing muscle memory: Training your mouth, tongue, and vocal cords to produce the new sounds correctly through exercises and drills.

• Improving intonation and rhythm: Mastering the melodic patterns and rhythmic flow of the target language.

• Building confidence: Overcoming the fear of speaking and embracing the process of learning.

The Benefits of Accent Reduction

• Improved communication: Clearer pronunciation enhances understanding and reduces miscommunication.

• Increased confidence: Speaking with greater fluency can boost self-esteem and social interaction.

• Enhanced professional opportunities: A reduced accent can improve career prospects and professional relationships.

• Better integration: Easier communication can facilitate smoother social and cultural integration in a new country.

Important Considerations:

• Individual progress varies: The rate of progress will differ based on individual factors such as motivation, learning style, and the complexity of the accent.

• Consistency is key: Regular practice and consistent effort are crucial for achieving lasting results.

• Respecting individual identity: While accent reduction can be beneficial, it's important to respect and celebrate individual linguistic backgrounds.

Conclusion

While achieving a completely native-sounding accent may be challenging for adults, significant progress can be made through dedicated effort and professional guidance. Accent reduction training can empower individuals to communicate more effectively, build confidence, and enhance their overall experience in a new language environment.

Make them stop guessing and reach out for a free 30 minute consultation and let's get started on improving your American English pronunciation.

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/cant-shake-your-accent-experts-say-thats-normal-but-so-can-be-the-discrimination-that-comes-with-it/