How do i stop talking like a valley girl?

Question

I sound like a kid about this problem, but okay, Im not stupid in any way and i am very far in my career and went all the way in school but i cant stop talking like a valley girl. Its not real bad. I have excellent grammer and talk in a professional way, but I cant get the valley girl voice out. (its not that bad. I get annoyed with people who go overboard) But you can tell when i talk a little. I say, 'like' a lot and 'oh my god..' And my voice kind of does that up and down thing when telling a story. Its just the area i grew up in. Everyone was so excited, energetic and very sweet. All my friends make fun of me and laugh. Its funny, I laugh too, but it really bothers me. I try sooo very hard to not talk like that and practice but it just fades right into my accent. I guess it the saying You can take the girl out of the Valley, but you cant take the valley out of the girl. Well, you really CANT! Any suggestions?

Okay okay....I know im gonna get attacked on here!!....

But i really do need good advice.

Answer 1

I have that accent too. which is hard on me cuz first, I'm mexican, and second, I like doing theatre and it's REALLY hard for me to sound like a professional delivering my lines when they sound soooo valley.

The best thing I've been able to come up with is to practice pretending I'm someone else with a lower, more mature voice. I'm a receptionist, so I use a fake voice all day on the phones.

And try this: every time you want to say "like", instead say nothing. Leave an awkward gap in your sentence if you have to. Slowly you'll learn to stop using it. And the pauses in your thoughts may often come across as someone who is a "deep thinker" and score you points.

Answer 2

Oh my God! Like I cannot believe you really want to really really stop! Like keep your professional talk for the pros, but, girlfriend, don't ever lose the Valley! It's like your birthright, you know!

Answer 3

Well, I can teach you to talk like a trucker....lol.