“What’s Wrong With Having An Accent?”

I’ve heard many people say, “What’s wrong with having an accent? I like to hear different accents and don’t want to hear everyone speaking the same.”

My answer to that is this: Each person has a unique way of speaking, no matter where they learned to speak. For example, I’m from California, and to people living in New York, I have an accent. People speaking English as their second language, having been raised in a country outside of the U.S., may have a very recognizable accent when they speak English. This accent is part of who they are and represents their cultural heritage.

However, reducing or modifying the accent can be extremely beneficial under the following circumstances:

• When an accent stands in the way of being understood
• When it causes embarrassment and self-consciousness to the speaker
• When people are not listening as much to what is being said, and paying more attention to how it’s being said
• When it creates an obstacle to securing a desired job or promotion at work.

Accent modification is especially beneficial for professionals in the medical, educational, business, law, and performer fields. Accents can have a strong impact on the workplace. Voice and accent tutors are needed to help employees be better understood by their peers, clients, patients, and employers.

Do employers ever cover the cost of Accent Reduction training?

Many companies will cover the cost of Accent Reduction training for their employees to improve their communication skills, especially when they have to deal with people on the phone, making presentations, or dealing with people in person. You should check with your supervisor and/or HR Manager to see if your company offers any type of reimbursement programs or if you can obtain a stipend to cover your costs for Accent Reduction training.

About Derra Huxley, Speech and Language Pathologist

I am a California-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Los Angeles. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge. I work as a Preferred Trainer with LDS & Associates – Accent Modification Program, and I am a member of CORSPAN (Corporate Speech Pathology Network). I collaborate with people of all ages to improve their communication and pronunciation skills in schools, hospitals, and private practice settings. To learn more or to contact me, complete this form or reach me at 818-421-7444. I look forward to hearing from you!