Hi,
I was wondering if you could loose an accent. I speak English and have an American accent. But English is not my first language. My parents are afraid that I'm going to loose my American accent of English, since I'm home-schooled and do not talk in English all the time when I'm at home. Is this possible? Please let me know. Oh, and also if someone with an American accent of English goes and lives in a place where people have a different accent of English, is it possible for that person to loose their American accent of English?
Sorry to ask this question on Jiskha. I know this isn't a homework help question. Sorry once again!:)
Thank you very much,
KittenLover2015
I think it's going to be more difficult to keep your American language since you're home schooled. In a regular school you'll hear English spoken all around you all of the time. And I'll bet that your classmates would correct you if you said something that didn't sound right to them.
Yes, if you move to another country, it's likely that you'll lose your American accent. However, I know an English woman who has been here more than 40 years and still clearly has an English accent. Yet another woman I know from Germany had lost her German accent in less than 10 years. But she worked hard to achieve that.
Thank You Ms.Sue!
You're welcome, KittenLover.
Hello KittenLover2015! No need to apologize, I'm here to help with any questions you have, even if they're not related to homework.
Accents can be influenced by various factors such as exposure to different languages, dialects, and regional accents. While it is possible to modify or reduce an accent, completely losing or changing an accent can be quite challenging. However, with consistent practice and exposure, you can certainly improve your accent.
Here are a few tips to work on your American accent:
1. Listen to native English speakers, such as watching movies, TV shows, or listening to podcasts. Pay attention to their pronunciation and intonation.
2. Practice speaking English out loud, focusing on imitating the sounds and rhythm of native speakers.
3. Read aloud and record yourself. Compare your pronunciation with that of native speakers and identify areas that need improvement.
4. Work on specific sounds that are different from your native language. For example, if your native language has different vowel sounds, practice reproducing English vowel sounds accurately.
5. Seek feedback from native English speakers, such as friends, tutors, or language exchange partners. They can help point out areas where your accent could be improved.
Regarding your second question, if someone with an American accent lives in a place where people have a different accent of English, it is possible for them to adapt and pick up certain features of the local accent over time. However, completely losing one's native accent requires significant exposure and immersion in the new accent for an extended period.
Remember, accents are a natural part of language diversity, and having an accent doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of proficiency. Embrace your personal accent as a unique characteristic of your language journey.