Accents - Developing

and Changing Them

 Why do some people have different
accents from others?

 People with less experience outside their home environment,

the less adapted they will be. Someone who lives in a rural
area, for instance, and rarely travels or interacts with people
from a different region or lifestyle, will normally have a more
noticeable "accent," and will sound more the same in any
situation.
 Can you change your accent?

 Most people who have moved to a different part of the

country to go to college, or who have moved to work in
another state, come to speak with the accent there. Most
people naturally adapt. It is a part of the way we relate to
the social environment around us.
 Why do some people who speak the same
language have different accents?

 Differences occur from the individual level, are still very similar in
the same family and local or social group, and differences
become more pronounced as you move farther and farther from
the core where you started. Notice how different speech is form
older to younger generations in the same household and family.
You'll get a clue how language changes from generation to
generation as well as from individual to individual.
The Difference Between Accent and
Pronunciation

 The accent is where the rules of the language are

governed by your location or class. Accent refers to
differences in stress on letters in a word. Pronunciation
is more about speaking the language. It’s the way you
articulate words for better understanding.
 What Makes the American English
Accent Unique?
 Other features of the American accent include:
The short “a” sound
The use of an unrounded
Dropping words.
 Regional Differences in Accents Across
North America
The Southern Accent
Also known as a “Southern Drawl” or “country accent,” the Southern American English accent
is usually slower with shortened words.
The Midwestern Accent
The Midwestern accent, sometimes known as the General American accent, is what’s
commonly heard in American entertainment
The New England Accent
The New England accent is also known as the “Boston accent.” This regional accent makes
use of non-rhotic pronunciations.
The New York City Accent
The stereotypical “New York” accent may be dying out, but you can still hear some natives
use it now and then. The New York accent also has non-rhotic elements.
The Canadian Accent
If you’re traveling through Canada, know that Canadians have an accent that differs from the U.S.
The Canadian accent is very similar to the General American or the Midwestern accent.
 Learn the American English Accent! 4
Speech Training Resources That Work

1.Use American Accent Training Videos

2.Watch American TV Shows
3.Watch American News Programs
4.Get Help from an Accent Tutor