Has your original accent changed over the years?

Question

I moved from one part of Scotland to another, 17 years ago but still seem to have my original accent. A friend of mine is from New Zealand but has been living here for only 6 years, and her accent has changed totally. Why do some people's accents change, while others don't? I wish i could change mine. Thanks.

I work with local people, but i just can't seem to pick it up whatsoever!!! Grrrrrr........

Answer 1

I have what is called a displaced accent, my dad was in the army and I have been all over the world so I never really picked up any accent, depending where I am I tend to speak the local dialect, my wife finds me weird, one minute I'm scottish (Invernessian) the next I'm Glaswegian then when I'm down south in England I'll speak the local dialect, Sorry for the long answer, but I liked your question.

Answer 2

My mother is Cornish (with an accent) and I grew up from the age of 7 in Dorset. I don't have an accent at all, it is kind of neutral. The school I went to, most of the pupils had the local accent. My older brother picked up the accent, but I have no idea why I didn't. I can do it if I want, but it is too much of an effort to keep up. I guess some people soak up more than others. A friend who moved to America now has that awful English/American twang. I suspect he just wants to fit in.

Answer 3

I was born in the NE of England and lived there for the first 26 years - the accent in the town I'm from is quite broad and I hate it and when I moved West no - one could understand me at all! These days I don't have much of an accent at all but still I'm recognized as Northern. When I go back North they all call me posh and think I speak like someone in the West! I know lots of people down here who never lose their accents. Someone once told me I lost my accent easily because I was a trained singer.

Answer 4

People tend to speak like locals to make themselves understood.
This can change your accent slightly as I found out after returning home from a spell in London when my friends and family commented on my newly gained accent.
The same thing happened after being in Aberdeen for 9 months.
My own accent is Glaswegian and find I usually have to speak slower in order for people to understand me.

Answer 5

i used to have a british accent. i moved to the middle east and went to a british school and still had the british accent. i started going to an american-british school and had canadian friends and i picked up an american-british accent. i moved to the states for college and now have an american accent. however, depending on the people i talk to, my accents change. i have an english arabic accent and a broken english accent also.

Answer 6

I was born and bred in Glasgow,left when 16,lived in Newcastle for last 8 year and speak Glaswegian with broad Geordie twang,you never loose an accent,its youre heritage.

Answer 7

Well, mine has changed.
I believe its mainly by the people around you, your friends, work mates they all influence our accent. Mine has changed so much over four years. I really enjoy this and its very cool and funny when I visit my folks back in my home town.

If you want to really change your accent meet more people, communicate, it really works.

Answer 8

I was born and raised in Louisiana, so I have a pretty heavy accent, even though I've been college educated and do pronounce my words much better. But, I still have a southern Cajun accent. 2D

Answer 9

Yes, I was born in a working class area on the fringes of a Midlands city. I now speak grammatically correctly.

Answer 10

I have a combination of a New York and Boston accent.