Understanding What Accent Reduction Really Is |
Posted: November 29, 2017 |
Accent reduction goes by many different names: accent modification, deaccentation, accent neutralization and elocution. It all means basically the same thing. It is a way to help people with strong accents to sound more generic. For some, this may be a confusing or even negative thing if they don’t understand how it works and why it is necessary. What is Accent Reduction?
Accent modification or reduction is the process where a person changes the way they speak to sound more like the people around them. For many, they desire to be seen as a native speaker with very little trace of their natural accent. Reducing an accent does not necessarily mean getting rid of it altogether. It may reduce it so that the person is better understood. The accent doesn’t get in the way of being understood.
An accent reduction coach will train the person on how to move their mouth, tongue and teeth as well as modifying speech patterns. They will teach them new habits and better pronunciation.
Types of Training
There are basically two ways to train someone with accent modification. The first teaches people to speak clearly when reading from a prepared script. You’ll find this kind of training with telemarketers and customer service. The people read from a script and are clearly understood. However, they may not be able to deviate and still be understandable.
The second type of training is where the speech coach teaches the person how to modify their speech patterns so they will speak differently in all situations. They must learn how to speak clearly in everyday situations.
How to be Trained
A person who wants to reduce their accent will need to work with a trained accent reduction coach who uses the desired method. You can learn some of the basics on your own by reading or watching videos online. However, you cannot overcome the challenges of reducing your accent without a professional’s help in most situations. It can take years to completely erase an accent. On the other hand, you may notice improvement in a few weeks or months with regular practice so that you are better understood.
It will require constant use of the new style of speaking to help you improve quickly. You won’t want to fall back into old habits or it will delay your progress. The Benefits of Accent Reduction
The primary reason many seek out the help of a speech coach is so they can have an advantage when it comes to finding a job. If they work with people who do not share the same accent or speak to people from other locations, it can help if they reduce their own accent.
For others, it will help them fit in with their newly chosen home. They may not want to be singled out as a foreigner or visitor. In this case, having no accent can enable them to avoid typical stereotypes of their native homeland.
For whatever reason you decide you would like less of an accent, accent modification can be the answer. You will learn how to speak clearly with the help of a speech coach.
Claudette Roche is an accent reduction in the Vero Beach, FL area. She teaches foreign and American accents to actors and business persons/executives. In 2010 she was named as one of The Top 5 Voice Coaches by Hollywood Weekly Magazine.
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