If you’re concerned about the impression that your accent may give to your audience in a public speaking situation, here’s a great line to use from an Indian immigrant (quoted in an article entitled “7 Things Never to Say to Asian-American Executives” on DiversityInc.com)…

[S.K.] Gupta [VP-Operations for Lockheed-Martin] says, “I use my accent as an ice breaker. I make speeches and presentations all the time and I often start by saying, ‘If some of you detect an accent, please remember that I didn’t have one until I came to this country.’”

What a great way to break the ice! Americans appreciate self-deprecating humor. By using this strategy, you can simultaneously address the issue and put your audience at ease, and then move right on into the main content of your talk. 

If you have any strategies of your own that you use to diffuse the issue of accent in your speech, please post a comment and share it!