Is it possible for an adult (e.g., 18+) to pick up a foreign accent?

Question

Hi, I am English, moving to Scotland soon to live on my lonesome. I was wondering, at 22, is it likely that I'd even pick up the barest trace of an accent?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Oh yes! My family hails from West Virginia and Germany. I have never been to Germany - and I have only been to West Virginia once for 3 days - yet I still have a strange German/West Virginian (more WV) accent that people pick up. I never notice it until someone says something. :-)

Answer 2

Yes. You're far less likely than a young child to come out speaking just like a Scottish person, but if you spend most of your time with Scottish people, you'll more than likely pick up some features of the accent. But you probably won't get past the mixed-up stage unless you make a conscious effort. Most likely your friends in England will start saying you sound Scottish, while your friends in Scotland will say you sound English. People hear what stands out.

Answer 3

It depends. I knew a British man who went to live in Florida at your age and sounded just like an American after just 6 months. I also knew another British man who went to California and he never picked up any of the local accent. So it really depends on the individual.

Answer 4

Yes, if you want to pick up the accent then you will. My friend moved away & the next time I spoke to her on the phone she had such a northern accent I couldn't recognise her voice. My Mum was born & raised in Yorkshire & when she moved south & married my father in her early 30's she totally changed her accent.

Answer 5

Yes its possible. My Father in Law grew up in the south, moved as a youth to Michigan, here in the USA. 25 years ago, he moved back to the south and has picked up an accent, its not as strong as everyone elses, but he has one. I have lived down here for a bit and I have one too! LOL

Answer 6

Easy , I've picked up a Scots accent after I moved here 23 years ago from Germany . It rubs off ....

Answer 7

A friend of mine moved here eighteen years ago from Michigan , and now he has a Texas accent and says ' ya'll" just like the rest of of us. So, yes, you could adopt some of their sayings and even a slight accent.

Answer 8

It is. When you immersed in a culture, you start speaking the language, whether it's completely different or just dialectical. You'll probably start pronouncing words a little differently. However, you'll retain your original accent as well - you'll probably never sound like a full-fledged native born Scot.

Answer 9

Is Scottish a foreign accent?

Answer 10

I have a house in London and one in Wales. When I have been in Wales and come back, I am asked if I am Welsh so yes you can pick up a REGIONAL accent.