I have a german accent, which gets worse during public speaking. How do I get rid of it?

Question

Should I see a speech pathologist?

Answer 1

why should you get rid of your own accent? be proud of who you are.

Answer 2

First of all, you should consider whether you really want to lose your accent. After all, your accent reveals that German is your native language, and that a German-speaking culture is your native culture. Do you want to conceal that from others?

Assuming that you do, you should also realize that most people who learn a new language after the age of about 15 always speak that language with an accent. There are some exceptions, but in general "losing your accent" completely probably isn't a realistic goal.

That said, there are some things that you can do to make your accent more understandable, if you feel that people can't understand you very well. I have taught ESL pronunciation more than once, and I like the program called "Pronunciation for Success", which is available for sale on www.eslvideos.com. This course is a self-study course, which could work well for you because you are buying it online. You might also be able to enroll in an ESL pronunciation course at a local college or university.

I don't think you should see a speech pathologist, because they aren't really trained to work with people like you. Speech pathologists are trained to work with native speakers of English who have speech or hearing problems. You are a non-native speaker who (I assume) doesn't have any of these problems. So an ESL course is a better fit for you.

Answer 3

What is an accent?

This term could refer to three different things.

Differences in pronunciation as with “stress accents” could be a pattern of speech applying greater intensity or power and it could include your pace speaking certain syllables.

Pitch accents could involve the modulation of pitch or tone at the same time with or without changing the pace.

An accent could also be a style of pronunciation differing from normal.

These differences are relative to region, socio-economic status, ethnicity, caste or social class and if it is a second language or not. In the Southern US on a whole is spoken of as being a distinct accent to those in the Northern US. If you are from and live in the south, your pronunciation is normal.

Perhaps instead of losing your accent which could be a beautiful part of your personality, you need to learn to enunciate and correct pronunciation of the words you use. There is a big difference.

Getting a good friend with a good ear and dedicating yourself to learning should be all you need and a whole lot less expensive than a professional.

I don't know about everyone else but I rather enjoy accents of the speakers I have heard if they are good public speakers.

Answer 4

Some people become very sucessful and famous, even though they have an accent. (Arnold Schwarzenegger, although his is much reduced from what it was and Henry Kissinger come to mind.) Other people lose their accents almost immediately and no one can tell where they are from.

You simply need to reduce your accent to the point where people can understand you. And it is quite understandable that your accent becomes stronger during public speaker because you are nervous. All of us you have learned second languages have noticed that our accent is reduced and our fluency improves after one or two drinks--that is because we no longer are quite as concerned with how we sound to others. Not that I would ever suggest a drink before public speaking! So relax before you go on, tell yourself your accent is attractive and understandable--and avoid words and phrases which you have been told in personal conversation are difficult to understand.

I reached my personal accent reduction goal in German once. No one could tell where I was from. They said, "you aren't from around here, are you? Where are you from." Whohoo! I sounded German enough that I didn't give away my exact midWest origins, which I think is as far as a non-native speaker can ever get. Then I came home, and I'm sure I now have an irritating American accent.

Answer 5

It's an accent, not a speech impediment...

One thing that helps many people (especially actors who have to switch accents frequently) sound more "American" is to say this phrase :

"The beer is in the pickup truck."

Say it slowly and deliberately. Say it all drawled out, and think about how the consonant stops sound different in American-English. The phrase has some of the consonant and vowel sounds you need to be mindful of. Say it all drawled out, like a cowboy (watch a cowboy movie for practice). The "R" in "beer" is not rough, but distinct like a grizzly bear growling. Allow yourself to get into the American mindstate a little. It's one part undereducated and two parts untamed. Have a beer- some Rolling Rock or Grain Belt or something. This is the phrase you will want to say to yourself on your way to the podium, no matter what topic you are actually addressing in your speech or public address.

I am assuming that you are speaking to an American audience. It's almost as difficult for an American audience to understand a non-native speaker of English as it is to understand an Englishman, so trying to talk like an Englishman with a German accent is only going to confuse them. They are the same language on paper, but they are distinctly different spoken... The accent of the central states is one of the most universally understood dialects of all the English-speaking world, so if you have the chance to spend time there, you should. In the early days of radio and television, broadcasters were trained in Indiana and Ohio. If you are speaking to an English or Australian-English audience, you may try a different phrase for the different sounds.
Try saying this : "The lager is in the wagon."
The "R" sound is almost nonexistent, which is something to remember. It's a softer and more subtle pronunciation. The word "lager" pronounced more like "la-ka". You can subsitute "ale" or "trappist" or even "beer" (pronounced). Also, as you are probably aware (but possibly forgetful) of the way that "V" and "W" are reversed... If you have to write it "vagon" to remember it? But remember it when reading your notes... "Do I say that like 'wagon'?"

Remember to relax before any public speaking enagement.
Maybe watch a movie from the appropriate country or area (this helps me with Spanish & its variants).

Answer 6

I don't think you can get rid of your accent but you can mimic some other accent. Although I think German accent sounds cool while speaking in English :-)

Answer 7

Hi....

Don't even try...
Unless you need to be a spy....lol... and even so....lol...

Every one learning a 2nd language has an accent, unless leant very, very young ....

Even with the best teachers and endless practice, there will always be an accent even if very mild...

Accents are very nice.... I have one too.....lol..., but I sound more like Celine Dion.... (without the signing talent)..lol...

Actually, I have met all kinds of people in my life with all kinds of accents...., and I have my favorites....lol...

German accent is very nice.... just keep it alive....lol...

Hope this helps....

Answer 8

There are books on tape. You might consider listening to them as you drive to work, or for relaxation.
Try repeating a few favorite phrases from some of the books you listen to.
Just a suggestion, it would be what I would try first.

Answer 9

Stop speaking the lingo I did 35 years ago and nobody can pick me for 25 years.

Answer 10

You can probably see a speech coach and they can help you. I'm guessing it takes some practice as well! Good luck!

Answer 11

Watch TV and practice aloud, the desired dialect you are trying to speak.