theAccentGuy.com Blog - Comments

Kevin comments on I don't like "accent reduction"!

Kevin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:00:51 +0000

@nahrungsergänzung Thanks for your comment. Yes, the awkwardness and discomfort of how a boy's voice changes as he goes through puberty is a great illustration of how many people feel when adopting a new accent!

When my clients comment to me about how strange they feel when they speak in a new way, I assure them that it's completely normal to feel that way… and, early on until the ears have become accustomed to hearing their own voice with a new accent, that weird feeling can be a good indicator of successful accent adoption. --> "If it feels/sounds really funny to you, that probably means you're doing it right!" : )

See also my post entitled Does Your New Accent Make You a Fake?

nahrungsergänzung comments on I don't like "accent reduction"!

nahrungsergänzung — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:04:00 +0000

Probably the biggest problem with accent reduction is that, at first, it’s not natural. You’re going against the grain as far as the way you normally speak. Now, you might not think that this is a problem, but just wait until you’re half way through your course and you’re also half way between speaking like you usually do and speaking like you want to speak. It’s kind of like when a young boy goes through puberty. It’s not a fun thing to listen to. You’ll feel self conscious about the way you speak for quite some time until you finally get the hang of it.

Ching-Chen Chen comments on Improve your career prospects with accent training

Ching-Chen Chen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:48:55 +0000

I like the fact that sometimes employers could realize the accent as an obstacle to break. In my example, my manager through our HR's helps to get me started with an accent reduction program three or four years ago. As I recall, I really appreciate the way my manager persuaded me to take the lessons without offending me.

This accent reduction is actually one of my yearly performance objectives. Although the level of the accent reduction can not be defined or measured objectively in my performance review, I got the benefit of a yearly budget to spend on this type of the programs in the category of personal improvement.

After these years, I feel much better and thankful for my manager's help to find myself a way to help myself.

Ching-Chen Chen comments on What a great line... you can use this!

Ching-Chen Chen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:16:41 +0000

This is a nice suggestion to have something prepared to break the ice. Although I don't have my own line to post here, I am very happy to say that my mentality will be prepared for my next presentation.

Ching-Chen Chen comments on Don't Harsh My Mellow: Americans messing with adjectives

Ching-Chen Chen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:07:45 +0000

Good to know about this type of examples so that I can be better prepared to expect the unexpected.

Ching-Chen Chen comments on Is your speech too nasal?

Ching-Chen Chen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:54:12 +0000

I did not understand why I had a nasal sound when I listened some of my earlier recordings. Now I am happy that Kevin is able to point it out for me.

Once I was actually told by an American that I spoke just like an American when I spoke from deep down in my chest.

Ching-Chen Chen comments on Does your new accent make you "a fake"?

Ching-Chen Chen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:38:13 +0000

I used to have this strange feeling of being "fake" when I spoke the way Americans do, but now I have realized after working with Kevin that it would be easier to communicate if you can really mimic the way they speak. It is not pretending you are an American, but just try to communicate with them, because that is the way they talk. If you don't do that way, they would not understand.

I actually had a quiet of struggling with this feeling in the past. I can't say this feeling has gone for me, but I feel better when I am communicating with Americans easier.

Kevin comments on I don't like "accent reduction"!

Kevin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:02:45 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Ita... glad to have you join the conversation! You and Laura are both right... it's ultimately about becoming more effective communicators. No matter how we may label the process, that's what we're all striving for, right?!?

ita olsen comments on I don't like "accent reduction"!

ita olsen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:56:43 +0000

Hi Accent Guy! I like your site! I provide communication skills training & I am all about making people crystal clear and persuasive. I agree with you and laura--it's not about reducing anything, it's about being a highly effective communicator in all environments. I'll be following you on twitter as olsenspeech. please follow me too!
best,
ita

Kevin comments on Gaining freedom through speech

Kevin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:29:40 +0000

Thanks for your kind comments, Laura! I'm so glad to hear that you're receiving positive feedback about the improvement to your speech and your self-confidence. I wish you continued success in the future!

Laura comments on Gaining freedom through speech

Laura — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:45:36 +0000

I agree with the comment by Kim completely. I had more awareness when I spoke after taking Kevin's class. The extra outcome I got from the training classes is the confidence. I probably went back to my old habit if I don't pay attention in the busy daily life. However, people told me that I am much more confident and easier to understand. I do feel empowered.

Laura comments on I don't like "accent reduction"!

Laura — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:29:38 +0000

I would say that the purpose of any forms of the communication is to be understandable. The easier to be understood the more effective. Our speech is not exceptional. I know people with accent and they are easy to understand. I also know people with similar accent they are hard to follow. If we have the attitude and desire to be the best communicator, it wouldn't be matter what terms are used to make it happen, either "accent reduction", "accent modification" etc.

Kevin comments on Don't Harsh My Mellow: Americans messing with adjectives

Kevin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:04:59 +0000

Yes, we have LOTS of abbreviations and acronyms. One of my favorites is "TLA"... as in, "There are too many TLAs in American English!" (TLA = "Three Letter Acronym"... LOL! ;-)

I'm glad you like the blog, NN... hope you'll stay tuned!

Kevin comments on Is your speech too nasal?

Kevin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:01:16 +0000

Thanks for the comment, PSST... I'm glad you like the website, and I hope you continue to find it useful!

NN comments on Don't Harsh My Mellow: Americans messing with adjectives

NN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:00:53 +0000

We Americans also love messing with abbreviations too. Doctors or nurses often say: "I dee cee (DC) this patient to a sniff (SNF)!" What they mean is I DisCharge this patient to a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Your blog is very cool. Keep it up, Kevin.