I have a question about language and accents?

Question

For some reason, I seem to pick up other people's accents very quickly. For example, when I went to the south I started unconsciously copying the southern drawl within a few days, whereas everyone else I was with never did or only did after a few weeks. Sometimes when I'm talking my British friends, even for only a few hours, I sometimes pick it up. Is that normal? What is it?

Answer 1

Sounds like the Hillary Clinton Syndrome :)

Answer 2

I am like this as well, and I get funny looks sometimes. When talking to British people I will sometimes imitate their accent without really realising it. I don't mean it to make fun or anything, it just happens.
I'm sure I'm not the best at the accent, so they probably get a good laugh out of me.

Answer 3

It seems some people pick up accents quicker than others. I have french relatives and after a few days one plus two equals tree. My bf however sounds like you, he has friends from Newfoundland and after 1/2 hour he sounds just like he was born there, which is not the case obviously. Or if he's arounds English or Scottish people same thing. I think it just varies with individuals.

Answer 4

Yes, it's quite normal. Keep in mind humans are natural mimics. That's why there are so many famous imitators in the world. We can not only imitate the voices and dialects of other people, but the sounds of animals such as birds, dogs, cats, wild animals, etc., as well as sounds from nature. So, the ability to pick up and discard dialects and accents is a very normal thing, and you appear to be gifted in this area. Enjoy it!

Answer 5

OOoooooohhh sturdy question! maximum human beings have dialects, or community accents to boot simply by fact the accents you pronounced on your question. i've got faith some this is simply by words used contained in the language fundamentals to boot simply by fact the 'accessory' your mothers and dads have. you comprehend the previous 'nature vs nurture' and one has a tendency to sound like their mothers and dads, utilising the comparable words, gestures, words, expressions. case in point take my ultimate pal and her mom. They sound purely alike, and it is ordinary to somewhat distinguish who's answering the telephone each each now and then, and that they've an inclination to spend a large number of time mutually and so as that they've the comparable accessory. besides the indisputable fact that, I grew up contained in the midwest and sounded plenty like my mom and sister earlier, yet considering I even have been around greater southerners by way of paintings and commute, and stay a techniques away and rarely see my kin, I even have 'picked up' a number of their accessory, and subsequently I sound somewhat distinctive than as quickly as I grew up. whilst i bypass homestead or am around different Michiganders, I slip good lower back into my Midwestern twang. individually, i've got faith this is the 'ear'. What you pay attention is what you will sound like. Even some deaf human beings nevertheless talk with a community accessory. yet this is a sturdy question for a speech therapist! thank you!

Answer 6

It is very common. I do as well. And very normal. Im sure some of your friends have picked up your accent but you just didnt realize it. I think it's kinda cool. Too bad learning another language wasnt that easy!

Answer 7

It's normal. People who learn new accents quickly are referred to as "linguistically gifted" while people who always speak with a strong native accent are sometimes referred to informally as "people who have a tin ear."

Answer 8

That means you have very good listening skills and your brain is very adept in picking up new accent - you could be a great actor, voice-over specialist, undercover agent or diplomat!

Answer 9

Its called mirroring. You copy another persons mannerisms and speech patterns without even knowing it. It is normal behaviour, it a tribal thing. You do it subconsciously to be accepted into their group.

Answer 10

Maybe you are a very empathetic listener