The Ugly Truth about Accent Reduction

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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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[justsipi]

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

[alexandra.v]

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 :))

[TheLittleColumbus]

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.

[Vipifipi]

Once my business teacher asked me to stay after the class. He told me, "you have an accent and you need to improve this. For this, you will receive 25% less income and people will think and treat you like you are stupid" I said, I don't have money to pay for accent reduction classes. He said, "do whatever you need to do". Since that day I stopped talking to almost everybody and I been unable to go find a job because I'm too scared of this discrimination.

[i.m]

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.

[brassen]

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"

[heatherchetwynd]

I really like the term accent addition. I never use accent reduction but rather accent modification but now I prefer accent addition. Thanks.

[edantes]

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!

[gloriah.]

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)

[aesg]

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.

[altafhasen]

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

[Derlet]

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?

[josepe]

I have noticed some people start to yawn after the hear me talking, do anybody with an accent have this problem?

[paddystar]

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 :)

[thehumancomet]

This really helped me out a lot on a project that I'm working on. Your insights were invaluable, thank you for sharing them.

[liveyounganastasia]

Wonderfully explained. These are the feelings I've been living with since I immigrated to the UK. Thank you for this video.

[carpediem]

Makes sense. Accent is so important and should be an equal part of language acquisition.

[kavyashreek]

Very well said! I agree with you completely!

[AlbinJames]

Thanks for this encouraging video. It gives me some hope about my speaking challenges. Keep up the good work :)

[lt]

as a german living in the uk, i feel like you nailed things well here.