Should I worry about my accent?

Question

I live in the United States and I speak English quite fluently, but I have a mild accent (my native language is Spanish). I feel self-conscious about my accent.

For English-speaking people, do you like or dislike foreign accents? Should I try to get rid of it?

Thanks!

You are all so sweet! I love your answers.

Answer 1

You should never hide who you really are doing this you began to lose who you are and you should never have to change to make someone like you if your happy with yourself. I spent 4 years hidding my Irish accent from my family becaus emy mum said it reminded her of my father. Its not about them its about you, if it makes you happy and your not hurting yourself than you have nothing to worry about. I love accents and my boy friend loves it im no longer afraid to hide it and just be my true self.
hope this helps somehow. take care.

Answer 2

Nonsense. I live and work in Toronto, I hear many different accents every day and I would never expect anybody to change their speech just for me. If you're fluent in English, then most native speakers of the language should have no trouble understanding you.

Answer 3

No. You should not worry. People may misunderstand you sometimes, but having a foreign accent is no big deal. Everyone has an accent, we just notice it more when we are around people with different accents than ourselves.

Answer 4

The only thing I don't like about having an accent is that people automatically think that I don't understand what they are saying and try to talk to me in a different way (as if I am retarted or something)

Answer 5

I love hearing accents! iNo te preocupes! También hablo español, pero mi idioma nativo es inglés. I'm studying to be a Spanish teacher so I have a huge place in my heart for latinos living in the U.S., especially those who are trying to learn the language. Many people like foreign accents. Claro que hay algunos que piensan que su idioma es el mejor, pero esas personas son imbéciles. I'm proud that you are learning the language. Keep up the good work.

Answer 6

I'd say you shouldn't try to get rid of it. I have the same problem, I'm a French-Canadian and I think it's cool to have an accent. (even though some people talk to you like you're a kid or something...)

Answer 7

I think that having an accent is cool. Not only does it show individuallity in you, but it tells something about your heritage. You should be proud about your heritage, and if that means having a Spanish accent, then you should be proud of your accent too!

Answer 8

i think its ok to have an accent it , i have an accent too wen i read out loud or wen i get nervous and saywords with a spanish accent i guess it happens to everyone who has more than one language or is it just the two of us? lol but yah it happens to my friends too so i its ok dont worry

Answer 9

Foreign accents are great. It shows that you've taken a lot of time and effort to learn another language and culture. I take it as a compliment that you've bothered to learn my language.
Thank you

Answer 10

Thank you for learning English. I have no problem with accents as long as you learn our language thats fine with me. Blessed be.

Answer 11

I don't have a problem with anybody's foreign accent, except I might have a little trouble understanding what they are saying. There's no problem with it at all, so be headstrong about it.