Leave Your Accent Behind
Everyone has an accent. No matter where you go in life, you take your accent with you. It is part of your personal identity and reflects your unique characteristics and background. Some people have regional accents, like a Southern drawl or the Texas twang. Others have foreign accents which indicate that they were born or raised in a different country.
Leave your accent behind with accent modification
While an accent can be a source of pride, it can also be a source of frustration. It can affect communication if others have trouble understanding you or ask you to constantly repeat yourself. Sometimes it can impact job performance, self-esteem and even your social life.
Here’s the good news. Accents can be modified. Actors often change their accent in preparation for a specific role. Businessmen sometimes look to modify their speaking voice or improve their presentation skills as do lawyers before a major court case.
And though speaking with an accent is not a speech and language disorder, the person most qualified to guide you through the process is a speech and language pathologist (SLP). An SLP is trained to evaluate your speech pattern, sound pronunciation and the rhythm and intonation of speech before creating an individualized plan.
When Do you need accent modification?
Here are some typical benefits:
- Improve your communication skills
- Neutralize a foreign or regional dialect
- Modify your speaking voice to portray confidence
- Build self-confidence and improve your social life
Minor modifications can lead to significant success. For example, actor Alexander Skarsgard from Sweden, had an accent coach when he returned to the states, and his career improved. He is now the lead in several shows and movies.
In business, an entrepreneur may benefit from accent reduction therapy when trying to market their company in the US. For aspiring politicians with an accent, accent reduction therapy can help them reach more people who otherwise may have prejudice to someone with an accent, whether they are foreigners or not.
So if your accent is preventing you from moving ahead, leave your accent behind.
Did you ever feel your accent is getting in the way of your career or personal life?
If you would like to learn more about our online speech therapy for accent modification services, please click the button below to schedule your free call.