How important is an accent?

Question

I have recently found that my accent is becoming Americanised as I have lived away from home for a long time. I find this a little disturbing as sometimes people think that I am American. How important is your accent to you?

My change is a bit weird as I live in Japan not America. I hang out with a lot of Americans though.

I'm not so worried about it being American I'm more worried that when I go home people will think I'm pretencious. Or that my Mom will slap me.

Answer 1

accent shows were you come from...and what you are...what ever accent you have you should be proud of

Answer 2

I'm an American, and I speak standard American accent I guess... I don't think accents are very important, but they're a little bit of what makes a person a person, if that even makes sense...

For example, if I had a Bristish accent, I'd still be the same person, but with a sort of "twist." It's hard to describe exactly what I mean.

Why are you disturbed that people think that you're American? There's absolutely nothing wrong with being American. Just like there's nothing wrong with being French, German, Chinese, Russian, Korean, etc. We're all unique, and we all have our flaws. That's what makes the world a wonderful place. No nation is "better" than another.

You are who you are. And if you're living in America, you should be proud that someone could mistake you for being American. That means that you have the ability to not only adapt to the accent that others use, but also the slang. Be proud of that!

And if you want to go back to your old accent... Simply start talking the way that you used to. :)

Answer 3

Firstly, I assume you are here in the United States temporarily because it sounds to me like you are ashamed of having an American accent.

Secondly, I think accents are wonderful...they are a beautiful thing. Having a true accent only proves how diverse this country was designed to become. But here in America we do speak English differently than other English-speaking countries so after one lives here for quite some time it's only natural to pick up the accent.

I am a person of Mexican decent, but have never really been to Mexico. I was born and raised here in the US and my parents as well, so I have an American accent and I am not ashamed of it because I am an American. It's important to learn your country's culture and history, but remember if you are living here and plan on living here then you must adopt the American way of life and accept that you may evolve a little.

Why is it "disturbing" to you when people assume you are American though. I mean you are living here right? Are you planning on returning to your home country? I suppose it's hard for me to understand why you feel "disturbed" when people think you are American when you are living in America.

Answer 4

Depends where you come from Personally, i would not like a Brummie accent but this is personal preference. I have a Lancashire accent people tend not to pronounce H's from Lancashire
Hello>ello
Help>elp
Hoover>oover
However>owever
If you know someone from this region North West check this out next time they talk.
I have lived in Newcastle for 12years and have picked up a slight Geordie twang and use some local phrases according to family/friends, but slip back broad when speaking on phone to them-my husband always knows when i've been talking to them.
I think accents are great and can be a good conversation starter

Answer 5

Well I certainly wouldn't anyone to think I was american, although hopefully my wit and intelligence would show through too much for them to make that mistake ;-)

I have an accent which most British people would immediately recognise as Scottish. I am however frequently mistaken for English by foreign friends, colleagues and business contacts who are perfectly aware of the difference between Scotland and England. I don't really mind this, although it does get a bit wearing when you know you've told the same person several times previously that you're not English! I would prefer to sound less British when speaking French though!

Answer 6

Gosh, I hate my accent! I live in UK and I wish I could speak this nice posh English, I love the way Joanna Lumley speaks. I come from a country that is considered "Eastern Europe" (though it's not, it's Central Europe) and the accent is still there, I don't know how to get rid of it! But I like when other people speak with accents, Russian accent is pretty cool, French sounds nice too. When I speak my own language, I've got very strong accent of the capital city, where I'm from, so I'm proud of that.

Answer 7

I don't think it really matters, I don't have my natural hispanic or Irish accent cuz I was born and raised here in America, I do, however have a chicago accent, we mix up and slur our vowels, but it's very subtle, most people don't even notice it Like for example I pronouce example like exemple, going becomes gonna stuff like that, most places have some kind of accent some are just way stronger than others

Accents are important as to how u pronounce words in ur own language, but if ur speaking another language and ur accent is very heavy like ur middle eastern or eastern european if u speak with ur accent people don't always understand what ur saying even if it is in english and that's y it's important to Learn how to speak in a clear defined way.

But For example if ur British and U obviously speak english and u had a convo with me since I'm an american as long as u didn't use too much slang I could totally understand what u were saying cuz ur accent is a little subtler and technically if English was invented in the U.K then technically ur speaking it the way it's meant to be spoken and we have the accents.

But then what's so bad about being American, I know it has that crappy sterotype but not everyone is like that, and it makes me mad how celebs and poloticians convey what Americans are all about cuz (because) they are a select few, and most American don't match that crappy stereo-type, I'm thin, I'm nice, I'm not loud, obnoxious or anything like that!!

But Accents are sexy, to me anything foreign is hot, mostly because when u live in one place ur entire life you get bored constantly being around the same kind of people. And what accent of ur's is fading anyways??

Debbie 16

Answer 8

The Dutch accent in English is horrible, so my accent is British (sort of).
My accent in Dutch is non-existant. Unless when I'm upset, then you suddenly hear the Amsterdam accent.

Most accents are rather nice. Some are even sexy. Some are a turn-off (like the Rotterdam accent in Dutch).

Answer 9

Oh yes accent is very important , If I lived in America of course i would like to bet rid of my accent in time. Or in the UK its just the same. But keeping a lil from your own accent gives some exotic flavour to your accent. Well , in case you were not indian ..no offence I don't like it.

Answer 10

Very important, its who I am. I would like it to be a little milder, as I have a strong Dublin accent, but i wouldnt like to pick up the accent of another country, especially if I am speaking like an american or english person using Dublin slang words, it would sound very strange.

Answer 11

I lived in South Africa for 3 years , and when i came back to the UK everyone said it was nice to hear my "New" accent, even now 4 years on i sometimes slip back into a slight SA accent...