Moving to another country is a daunting prospect. It is like being reborn and starting from scratch. Perhaps the greatest challenge is a linguistic one. English may be the International language of choice but how good is yours?
The Pros
Conversation Starter
Weddings, as the movie ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ illustrates can be awkward occasions; long silences punctuated by stilted conversation. Your foreign accent may just be the icebreaker to open the floodgates and get the conversation flowing.
Suddenly the accent that defines you makes you interesting; your ‘difference’ unlocks peoples’ innate sense of curiosity. This is your chance to educate people, in a relaxed, friendly environment, about your culture.
Romantic Interest
An Englishman only has to hear the soft, musical intonation of a French or Italian woman for curious things to happen: he goes weak at the knees; he starts experiencing breathing difficulties. There is something about certain accents that are inherently sexy and a distinct advantage in a social context.
Cultural Allowances
When you open your mouth people realize English is not your first language. Most people are not Basil Fawlty, the manic, overbearing hotelier from Fawlty Towers. They will make allowances.
This extends to the way you do things: so you eat differently, you dress differently and your social life is not the same as others. Clearly, that’s the way you do things in your culture and that’s fine.
Employability
A foreign accent implies competence in more than one language, inviting respect and enhancing your job prospects. If your English is good, albeit accented, Basil Fawlty may come to his senses and have you staffing the front desk.
Cultural Friendships
Your accent sends an audible message to other nonnative English speakers that they are not alone. You have something in common: problems can be shared; perhaps new friendships cemented.
The Cons
For every light, humorous occasion there is a darker side. In a social setting people are fairly relaxed and forgiving. In a professional context it can be a very different matter. You will need a good sense of humor and a thick skin to see you through.
Employment
In the workplace people are less forgiving about your accent. Clarity of communication is key and your accent may be an impediment, especially over the telephone. Speak the English of Downton Abbey and the path to communication is smooth and effortless.
Fresh from Singapore speaking Singlish (a curious head on collision between English and Singaporean) and you will immediately meet with problems. Numerous studies suggest you will be lucky to get beyond an initial interview
Stereotypes
With accents inevitably come stereotypes. Highly insidious at times, hard to shrug off: if you are Russian you must be a gangster and not to be trusted; an Italian can’t shut up and is probably has Mafia connections; you are German therefore you hog all the beach towels and can’t possibly have a sense of humor. God help you if you are Irish.
The Outsider
Your accent can be very isolating, a constant barrier to fitting in. However good your English, you run the risk of being judged not for your intellect and what you have to say but for your accent. As poor old Arnold Schwarzenegger can testify, you have to fight long and hard to get people to take you seriously.
On the Wrong Side
Your accent can also be the cause of unfounded suspicion and unwelcome official attention. Before you know it you have been unfairly included in an ethnic religious group, Muslim being a prime example that is not exactly in favor at the moment.
It is almost impossible to lose you accent. Don’t even try. Adapt to your new circumstances, of course, but wear your accent with pride, stand up for yourself and above all keep a sense of humor.
Want to reduce your accent? Check out
Or if you want to listen to the audio version for Free *Just Click Here |