Lose my accent

RobAMerc

Hi all,

Anyone got any idea how I could go about losing or at least toning down my accent ?
I find some people find me difficult to understand and I also find my accent is so strong people often respond to me with a copycat kinda accent.
I realise they aren't always mocking me but it does highlight my strong accent to me and I would like to flatten it a touch.

Thanks
R_A_Merc

Cleopatra12

Speech and drama lessons might help.

StormWarrior

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Rid-Your-Accent-Pronunciation/dp/0955330009/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251469908&sr=8-2

RobAMerc

StormWarrior wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Rid-Your-Accent-Pronunciation/dp/0955330009/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251469908&sr=8-2

I got the impression those were for non native English speakers, but it may be worth at try, thanks.

OS119

watch a tv program that has the kind of accent/speech pattern you'd prefer and just copy it while its on - then read a few paragraphs aloud in that accent/speech pattern, and repeat it a few times. you'll find it working into the way you speak very quickly.

i use at least 3 different accents/speech patterns - the way you speak affects they way people treat and react to you , so i don't think its any less appropriate than choosing what clothes to wear based on your 'audience'.

PhysiologyRocks

Approach it practically.

If you're aware of your own accent, chances are, you know what you're doing differently.

Avoid using phrases that are distinctive to your locality, e.g. "Like" in Cork.

Practice enunciation. Open your mouth. Try to speak clearly.

Don't try to change your voice, as this will appear false.

As long as you don't mutter and you pronounce words correctly, you should have no problems.

A mild accent can be very interesting, as long as you can be understood. Best of luck.:)

LegacyUser

What exact have you ?

I think alot of what makes up an accent is in the vowels so pay attention to that.

Also watch My Fair Lady over and over and you'll be speaking the Queens English in no time!

dobsdave

Slowing your speech down slightly can help a great deal.

chocgirl

+1 for speaking more slowly! Also ask close friends and family to correct you on the most obvious problems, you'll soon get sick of it and make the effort to amend your speech:)

jmbkay

What accent have you? Surely others have it as well.

iguana

Don't try to lose your accent, just work on speaking clearly. As others have said slow down your speech, practice enunciation and try to stop using local phrases if you aren't speaking with people who are local to you. Your accent itself isn't going to hinder you being understood and accents are generally nice.

Show_me_Safety

i think slowing down is definitely the quickest way of goin about it! You.ve prob spoken in that accent since you could talk! I think accents are interesting, so depending on the accent don't try to get rid of it completely! I agree with listening to the accent you'd like to have over and over again- i think they.re actually easier to pick up than people think! In my job i speak to many different customers per day and it's gas when you speak with someone from another country who come here and picked up accents- like a polish accent with hints of cork in it!!! Best of luck anyways

fizzynicenice

I feel your pain OP, only in the last year or so has my family decided to tell me that I've been developing a thicker and thicker N.Dublin accent for about 5 years now. Bleedin scarlet.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

renraw

If your after moving from where you originally live and locate in a different environment, you'll soon adapt to the local accent. Happened to me, I had a really strong waterford accent and when I moved to dublin, it completely changed

panda100

renraw wrote: »

If your after moving from where you originally live and locate in a different environment, you'll soon adapt to the local accent. Happened to me, I had a really strong waterford accent and when I moved to dublin, it completely changed

I think its easier for some more than others to lose their accent. I moved here from England when I was 15,over 10 years ago now. I still have a very strong English accent which is really annoying because no one believes your Irish.

Speech and Drama lessons would definatly help op Id say.

newbie2009

Elocution lessons. Also surrounding yourself with people who have neutral accents or just different ones may help to offset your own

HereKitty

Hi OP

I have come across someone through work who works with people to help them "neutralise" their accents. Dont know what she charges but If you want her details pm me and I'll send on her email. Dont have her phone number but sure you will get her by mail.