The Ugly Truth about Accent Reduction
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- About this Video:
Watch this video to find out the ugly truth about accent reduction and discover another way of thinking about changing your pronunciation, which doesn't involve a personality transplant!
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This is so uplifting. Every time I see or hear "accent reduction" I get very sad and I wish I was a native speaker of English. It's exactly that fact, "it's wrong that you are a foreigner and you have a foreign accent, better be English/American!" Plus the fact that English is quite the only language, globally speaking, that you are forced to learn as a foreigner. The idea of "accent editing" implies that you begin from a neutral base and you simply need to be more clear, and I like this a lot more. I am amazed by non-natives of English that manage to have a perfect English accent, 'cause in my case, my tongue simply can't follow the instructions :))
Did you know that there is a thing called accent discrimination? some people assume I'm less intelligent because of my accent. well, maybe not less intelligent but let's say I get a list of the french stereotypes when I open my mouth
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's a terrible thing. Some call it Accentism. I hope that as society becomes more embracing of these sorts of differences, this sort of discrimination will cease. Ashley
Only three accents of English are truly accepted in the corporate world: RP, General American and Cultivated Australian. Even though Singapore and Hong Kong are more developed and richer than the
UK and the US their Englishes are not considered proper enough. Learning proper accents well does require certain personality changes.
justsipi I understand you. I'm Nigerian and I had a stronger accent than I do now; it's been diluted. But I was always scared to speak in school because of my accent...but now I'm so proud of accent because it makes me unique. Accents are actually considered sexy to certain people. We ethnic people need to embrace where we come from and never forget our roots no matter where we go. Btw, french is one of my favourite languages.
It's sad that this exists and in my perspective, discrimination should always be confronted. Otherwise we become enablers of prejudice, bigotry and abuse.
In this sense the LGBT community has been a great example to the rest of us. They did not allow themselves to be discriminated against any longer and soon enough, sexual orientation became a protected category under civil rights law.
Different accents should also be a protected 'difference' very much in the way that sexual orientation or national origin are.
It should become a legally protected category of individual distinction. That would be the only lasting way to put all the haters and language snobs in their place and prevent them from discriminating/hurting the life/professional chances of immigrants.
I feel the same way. I have talked to people through text and then sent them voice messages and their attitude changes completely once they realize I’m Mexican. They feel I’m uneducated, although they found no mistakes in the things I said before, and it’s so upsetting to see. I also hate how my friends, who speak English with an American accent are perceived as more knowledgeable of the language than I am, although I have proven countless times to have a more wide vocabulary than them. I wish I could just get rid of my accent :(
I really like the term accent addition. I never use accent reduction but rather accent modification but now I prefer accent addition. Thanks.
accent modification sounds least threatening :D
The problem is that the line between "accent" and "mispronunciation" is often not clear. In these cases, it is important to refer back to a "standardized" accent, such as GE or RP.
To me accent reduction is an intellectual challenge, I know the English language quite well; however I'm not a native speaker and I still have an accent, thanks for your video, I found it fascinating. Cheers!
Thank you so much for this (ugly, yes!) Truth about Accent Reduction!!!!
Even if I have not big problems with English accent (mine is a kind of mix of North American and British accent + my own "French mother accent") I have always felt that way and listening to you saying my truth in such a clear, calm and positive way makes me feel confident and hope the world would embrace our differences as you said in the comment below: yes, no "reduction accent" but "accent addition", "no personality transplant" but keep our identity, "tribal thing".
Awsome, Your video is awsome. Just can't believe it.
How is this not tought (or not enough) in schools and in all English trainings around the world ? Instead, I remember much more how at school and now in professional positions people can laugh (very nasty) at you because of your accent and think you are stupid.
I am so happy to begin my day with Your nice and caring words. Thank you Mr. Ashley. Gloria (France)
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment, Gloria. Glad it resonated with you.
British accent isn’t my favorite but to be honest with you I enjoyed listening to your voice, and of course I got something from this video. Keep it up
Where have you been Sir? I wish I could find you a very long time ago. It could save me a lot of time, money, and pain, Lol. I really love your way to teach. Thank you very much for your free download videos. I appreciated it.
I'm Polish living in UK right for 8 years now, right. Recently, I made a career switch and now I do high-ticket software sales. I noticed that it in fact is more challenging to get a stranger to like you over the phone if your accent is clearly not a native one (British or American).
To be clear, I have no problems with my accent.
Time for RP English accent classes, cuz I like my job and want to keep it :)
Makes sense. Accent is so important and should be an equal part of language acquisition.
1990's
"It's a global community, all humans sharing the same values"
2010's
"Awiite, listen, we really liked your CV and the interview was great, but you be'er ge' summin' done about this accent of yours, is it hispanic?"
"No, I'm actually from Brazil, we speak Portuguese there"
"Wha'ever"
Wonderfully explained. These are the feelings I've been living with since I immigrated to the UK. Thank you for this video.
This really helped me out a lot on a project that I'm working on. Your insights were invaluable, thank you for sharing them.
I have learnt British English and I still don't sound native. I have been told by many English speakers to stop pretending and speak with my foreign accent. I honestly don't understand such remarks. All I am trying to do is to speak clearly so I would be understood.
English teachers will not make you sound better. You need a speech pathologist.
I appreciate your message! Thanks!😊
You explained it very well.
Thank you so much, most helpful!
as a german living in the uk, i feel like you nailed things well here.
I am an immigrant in the United States who learned English in 6months, rised to the top of my class by the time I graduated high school and attended an elite university (one of the historical Ivy League schools) where I graduated at the top of my academic department.
But because I don't look Caucasian, people still in this day and time ask me the intrusive "so where are you from?" or "where is your accent from?" simply because I am not Caucasian.
Initially I did not care because I am self confident and accomplished, but as the years went by and I saw some of my immigrant peers passed up on professional advancement opportunities "because of their accent," I began to see this as discrimination in the workplace (a legal problem that an employer can be sued for).
So what would you say to those facing labor (and social) discrimination of this kind?
Should they pursue American accent acquisition to blend in more (from a social standpoint) to "fix" the problem? Or should they also confront bigotry/discrimination for what it is, a legal liability?
As someone who thinks along the lines of sociology and the law, I think that all approaches must be combined: 1)learn the new accent to silence haters ; 2) confront haters where appropriate ; 3) sue on basis of discrimination where appropriate.
We need to reform cultures and the systems that make discrimination possible, not just learn to empower ourselves through new (valuable) communication skills.
Any thoughts on this?
This is one thing that never bothered me. I do live in the US as well, and I'm an immigrant too. But I don't mind to be asked where I came from.
Thanks from Egypt: )
The problem with our modern society, is that you get bullied because you speak like 'an alien'. Whatever you call it accent reduction, addition, multiplication etc, , it's just mumbo jumbo. Get rid of your accent, improve pronunciation. Be like "them", so they like you. As old as our planet.
I know people who are non native Spanish speakers & they sing better native Spanish speakers in Spanish. My favorite music style is Mexican style music! 🇲🇽
That's super interesting. I never heard this sort of explanation before! Great point and it makes me even more motivated to accent addition now!
Thanks for this encouraging video. It gives me some hope about my speaking challenges. Keep up the good work :)
As long as they are understood by a majority of the public, people should never be ashamed of having an accent. Prejudice and ignorance are not the fault of the one that is speaking. The class system is clearly still alive and well in many forms if the problem is a common one. Even if it doesn't project the truth, an accent can certainly give an impression of wealth and status.
I have noticed some people start to yawn after the hear me talking, do anybody with an accent have this problem?
I experienced it before. Just leave. They don't give you the respect. You don't give them respect either
Yep, all the time. I stopped talking to people many years ago. I live in almost complete isolation.
@@Vipifipi I said some people, not everybody. Even some of my former girlfriends did this when I first met them. I never found out the reason of this phenomenon though.
@@jose76pe ok, I'm not arguing this with you 🙄
Chill.
I was just answering your question.
@@Vipifipi I'm chill watcha talking bout?
Very well said! I agree with you completely!
I'm half Northern Irish and half swedish and in school I put on an English accent
Thanks for the insightful video.
I keep trying on Americana ccent. itd be great in the long run.
Wow I’ve never heard of this but I’m glad that I finally did
It is an excelent idea to change the therm! Very deep and helpful video.
Anyone really interested in this must read about poscolonial studies. Language discrimination is a real thing.
Thank you for the very positive way to improve pronunciation. Indeed...I don't have to lose my French accent any longer....but I can learn how to improve my English accent that has such a fantastic sound to my ears :)Carole
If you're wedded to the idea that the accent you happen to have is an important part of your identity, then you need to consider basing your identity on something more meaningful. Besides, you don't "lose" an accent, you just gain another one. You're just expanding opportunities. Same with language. Learning is fun. I hate this insecure resentful attitude that some people have. It's as if they have to be told they're perfect as they are.
I could not agree more. I am a native Australian speaker, but I grew up with the "broad" accent (which is considered rural and low class, like an Alabama or UK "west country" accent). In my work I speak with the "cultivated Australian" accent which I learned and adopted in my early adulthood. But when I go home, my accent reverts to the rural accent I grew up with.
Where are you from?
I want to speak English like the way you do. How can achieve it please?
Clarity above all. Accent standardization is only ok when most native speakers cannot understand a different dialect. In this case it’s appropriate. But when the person can be understood all the time, then GTFO and live with the accent and embrace the differences between cultures.
The main idea is to be understood by others when you speak. It’s not easy when you weren’t taught about syllables and word stress early on. I know that’s my big problem. So now I guess we. An say accent addition. The blow will be less than accent reduction.
my fear is not I will be losing my identity or faking at all, but that I won't reduce my accent lol.
i don't care i have a foreign accent and ill keep it
You know my problem
Love your videos. Keep up!
this is probably the most british video I ever watched, I never heard any person from UK speaking english haha.
Thanks 🌷
Bock
Why not change it to accent neutral?
I just want to learn something new
Amazing!!!
Thank you! Very interesting knowledge. I'll take my club when I get out of my cave!
Changing your accent is not about losing your identity. Talking is about communication and whatever helps you to do that cannot be a negative.
Wrong
@@greenmachine5600
Maybe but a one word answer is just lazy.
I was really expecting you changing into an American accent hahaha
awesome video
The unfortunate thing is chances are if you are seeking accent reduction lessons then your name isn't an English name therefore you will get discriminated on two counts, the first count will be your "foreign" accent, the second count will be your "foreign" name. If you are seeking a job some recruiters assume you are not British if you have an African name and will even ask you if you have the right to work in the UK? G*d's sake!
That's what I'm afraid of 😭😭😭
Hi
I hate my shitty Northern accent. It's one of the favourite in the UK but I think k it sounds so horrible and uneducated. If I could get rid of it I would. I wish I was born in the South.
Well I dont really think having an accent is a problem, as long as your english is clear is more than ok, I do have an accent and believe you me girls look at me and with watery mouths and they tell me..oh my gosh you have a sexy accent! and hell yeah! I am using it very well!
so speak clear!
Absolutely, Juan. This subject does divide opinion so it's great to also hear from people who don't care about sounding 'more native' but just want to sound clear. Others of course benefit from it hugely, so it's really down to the individual, right? Many thanks for your comment!
Yeah, you may have a “sexy” accent but it makes you
-the odd one out of the group
-a complete alien
-sound weird, funny, and less intelligent
-not belong
I’m not trying to put hate on you. I have a foreign accent as well and that’s just how I feel about it. I HATE it. It makes me feel dumb and like I’m something else (not human). But I’m a person too because if I get cut with a knife...I’ll bleed too.😭What I’m trying to say is that having a foreign accent makes me feel like I’m a different species from the rest. I hope people understand what I’m trying to say. And I’m sorry if I overreacted. This accent thingy just sometimes really gets me bc I wish I didn’t have it.
Glenda's World I think you need to change your thinking. And work on your self confidence first not accent. I have worked with managers, team leaders and people with higher positions in England with accent. I think what matters the most is the self confidence and boldness and your brains! Those looking down on you are the dumbasses that speak only one language and that’s it. Full of themselves and stupid. I don’t think accent is something people should fight over. What we should strive for is to speak clearly and intelligibly and with great fluidity and confidence.and if you can add the native touch, great! That is the ice on the cake to me!
There is a lot of video 📹 😳 in RUclips about accents 😳. Is it that important to get rid of them? Especially when 🤔 🙄 you are a not native speaker
I think all schools in the UK should be teaching pupils a neutral diction so people are not at a disadvantage alongside speakers of tiresome RP English. In addition English literature classes could include pupils writing and acting in dramas in the local dialect, so local speech wouldn't become stigmatized while this neutral "educated" nationwide accent was being taught to all. What's needed is for the UK population as a whole to speak much the same. The UK is still a ridiculously class-ridden society and the education system should be trying to combat this. People shouldn't have to wait until they are grown up then seek out a voice coach. People don't even know how to go about doing this.
❤️❤️👍
Very posh accent indeed
💜🤝