Q&A for How to Lose Your Accent

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How can I learn a new accent fast?

Patrick Muñoz
Voice & Speech Coach
Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association.

Patrick Muñoz

Voice & Speech Coach

Expert Answer

Find the sounds that are different and practice them. Listen to the new accent and find the sounds that are different from your native accent. Reproduce and copy the sounds and work on your intonation. Modeling sounds and incorporating their rhythm is the best start to changing your accent.

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Question

How long will it take for me to change my accent?

Community Answer

It depends on how much you practice and how much determination you have to change your accent. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years.

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Question

Can I have two accents at the same time?

Community Answer

Yes, you can totally do that. Just make sure you focus on the one you speak the most, for example, if you are speaking English for most of your day, then just concentrate on that. Remember that pronunciations are the most important thing to learn or master in a new accent.

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Question

What benefits are there from knowing different accents?

Community Answer

Knowing different accents could be beneficial to someone who wants to be an actor, or for someone who just wants to fit in better when visiting or moving to a new place.

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I practice reading out loud in English every day, however usually after only ten minutes my throat starts hurting, which makes me have to stop or else I cough after everything I say. What can I do?

Community Answer

Prepare a mug of tea with honey before you start each session and sip from the cup when your throat feels dry. The tea will lubricate your throat.

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Question

I only practice reading out loud, although I do it every day and very frequently. Is that enough?

Stacy Steele

Community Answer

Yes, that's great. Know it does take time for you to lose your accent, and some people never lose it, but talking, reading out loud, and maybe trying speech therapy would be great things to do to help lose your accent.

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I want to work in broadcast journalism but I have an Indian accent. How important is it for me to lose my accent and how long will it take?

Community Answer

Losing a hard accent will be tough. From my experience I would say to experiment with your voice. But the world is more accepting of global accents now, just as long as your English is clear. It really isn't that important unless your person's biography explicitly states: "Must have American accent," or "Born in raised in Sydney," (or just any place). Depending on the thickness of the accent, time will vary. I suggest to listen to pronunciation tools/devices such as, Siri or Alexa.

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Question

Is it easier to learn an accent when you’re younger rather than when you’re an adult?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

Yes! Children under 12 tend to have accents that match those they spend the most time with. If you are over 12, you'll need to work hard to speak any language without your native accent coming through.

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Will learning to write and read better help my heavy accent clear up?

Community Answer

Probably not, but it can make you more comfortable with the language.

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Will varied pronunciation of letters change your accents when speaking English?

Community Answer

Yes, that's what accents are. The pronunciation of certain letters changes the accent.

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