If you’re wondering how to change your accent, read this article to find out what you can do to improve!
Your accent is a wonderful reminder of who you are and where you came from. However, it can be difficult to understand those who have a strong accent.
While losing your accent entirely isn’t necessary, learning how to speak with a more Americanized accent can save you from having to repeat yourself and may also help you advance your career.
Here are three helpful strategies on how to change your accent.
1. Study Your Regional Dialect
While lessening your accent is difficult in and of itself, it’s made all the harder once you realize that each region in the United States has its own unique accent.
Take the southern drawl, for instance. It has an entirely different cadence and speed than the type of accent commonly found in areas like New York or New Jersey.
Learning the “Standard American Accent” is probably your best bet as it is the most widely understood accent used throughout the world. This is the accent typically used by newscasters and those on television.
However, there will be some adjustments depending on the region you choose to live.
Learning the small differences in pronunciation and vocabulary will help you fit in and you may learn some cool new lingo at the same time.
2. Watch Movies And TV Shows
One of the best ways to reduce your old accent is by sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying some American entertainment.
Do some research and find the most popular TV shows and movies, then make an effort to watch them during your downtime.
Aside from serving as a great form of entertainment, you can learn more about American speech patterns.
As you enjoy, don’t forget to pay close attention. You can even test yourself by mentally asking yourself a few questions like:
- What type of accent are the characters speaking in?
- How are their lips moving as they pronounce each word?
- How does the rhythm of the characters’ speech patterns affect the tone and emotion of the show?
You may even choose to repeat some lines back to yourself as you watch.
3. Consistently Practice
If you’re wondering how to reduce your foreign accent, you should know that it’s going to take a great deal of time. Furthermore, you’ll need to dedicate yourself to practicing American speech patterns on a regular basis.
Just as practice is required when you learn a new skill, practice is essential for those looking to change their accent.
Spend at least 20-30 minutes each day working on your accent in the mirror. You may not see immediate improvement, but believe us, in a few weeks you’ll notice a huge difference.
Start off slow and place an emphasis on pronunciation. Speed will come in time, but for now, focus on accuracy.
Final Thoughts On How To Change Your Accent In Three Easy Steps
Each of these three fantastic tips will help you learn how to change your accent in a matter of time.
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