[IamNameless]

I wish i still had a accent, but that just seems stupid to change your accent without moving to a new location in which case you don't attempt to pick it up you just do?


I lived in wales for 7-8 years, then moved back to england... been here for 3-4 years now, and lost my accent completly around 2 years ago? :\ but then, when i play xbox with certain people.. I pick that accent up.. Got to the point of last year, every time i finished playing xbox... I had my family taking the p out of me for having a completely different accent

[PianoKeys4]

What on earth is a 'neutral' accent?!

[Megaross]

No strangely, because I'm not a ****er. I know I sound a bit west country and tend to use a lot of "northernisms" and thats fine.
Made me laugh some brummies once told me I sound like a posh farmer.

I don't quite get why you'd want to sound "english and proper" the sort of douche who cares about that isn't worth knowing, like all these workshy ****ers you see on shows like "made in chelsea" and "the only way is arse sex"

[alex_hk90]

(Original post by PianoKeys4)
What on earth is a 'neutral' accent?!

An accent that doesn't have a distinct regional edge.

[Kolya]

If you really must, then study the book: Gimson's Pronunciation of English.

[the bear]

I normally speak with RP that is with a fairly patrician voice; for the lulz i might do it with a French accent

[Joinedup]

Lets face it, the only high profile tory anyone thinks has any brains is william hague... And he's got a yorkshire accent.

[youngtory]

(Original post by tory88)
I did it at age 12, so most of my friends hadn't known me for long anyway (secondary school) and my parents didn't really react. I'm now 19 and it has stuck, people find it hard to believe that I changed my accent so that must be a good sign. I wanted to cut out slang and sound like I could speak properly, so for me I attempted to bring in words I'd read in books etc. that were a bit less usual and every time I used a slang term I restated the sentence without the term present. As far as the enunciation goes, just correct yourself everytime you miss a letter.

Ah that's good not keen to be labelled a snob because of it!

[youngtory]

(Original post by IamNameless)
I wish i still had a accent, but that just seems stupid to change your accent without moving to a new location in which case you don't attempt to pick it up you just do?


I lived in wales for 7-8 years, then moved back to england... been here for 3-4 years now, and lost my accent completly around 2 years ago? :\ but then, when i play xbox with certain people.. I pick that accent up.. Got to the point of last year, every time i finished playing xbox... I had my family taking the p out of me for having a completely different accent

(Original post by Megaross)
No strangely, because I'm not a ****er. I know I sound a bit west country and tend to use a lot of "northernisms" and thats fine.
Made me laugh some brummies once told me I sound like a posh farmer.

I don't quite get why you'd want to sound "english and proper" the sort of douche who cares about that isn't worth knowing, like all these workshy ****ers you see on shows like "made in chelsea" and "the only way is arse sex"

I just want to ensure that I can be understood by people overseas when it comes to international travel in the future.

And I don't think I'm a douche for wanting to do the best for my career

[Iron Lady]

(Original post by tory88)
I did it at age 12, so most of my friends hadn't known me for long anyway (secondary school) and my parents didn't really react. I'm now 19 and it has stuck, people find it hard to believe that I changed my accent so that must be a good sign. I wanted to cut out slang and sound like I could speak properly, so for me I attempted to bring in words I'd read in books etc. that were a bit less usual and every time I used a slang term I restated the sentence without the term present. As far as the enunciation goes, just correct yourself everytime you miss a letter.

Listen to tory88.


Really good advice!

[Iron Lady]

(Original post by youngtory)
Ah that's good not keen to be labelled a snob because of it!

Do what's best for you. If people label you due to your change of accent (it works both ways), then they're not worth your time. Snobiness is not a nice trait, however that's characterised by actions/attitude; you just want to change your accent for you. There isn't anything wrong with that.

[Iron Lady]

(Original post by Megaross)
like all these workshy ****ers you see on shows like "made in chelsea" and "the only way is arse sex"

To be fair, I would not class them as 'English and proper'.

[youngtory]

(Original post by Iron Lady)
Listen to tory88.


Really good advice!

Will do!

(Original post by Iron Lady)
Do what's best for you. If people label you due to your change of accent (it works both ways), then they're not worth your time. Snobiness is not a nice trait, however that's characterised by actions/attitude; you just want to change your accent for you. There isn't anything wrong with that.

Thanks a lot for your advice can I ask, what is your accent like?

[Megaross]

(Original post by youngtory)
I just want to ensure that I can be understood by people overseas when it comes to international travel in the future.

And I don't think I'm a douche for wanting to do the best for my career

What makes you think it'll make you any more understood by people overseas?

[Jammyj12]

(Original post by youngtory)
I'm looking to change my accent from having a distinct regional twinge to a "neutral" English accent (not quite RP but something which sounds professional) - how would I go about doing this?

Has anyone else changed the way they speak in the past?

I honestly wouldn't worry about your accent, it will have almost no effect on the rest of your life. I think regional accents are better and more interesting, where as I sound like a pretentious Pratt. Just be happy the way your are, but if it bothers you that much you could have eloctuion lessons

[Iron Lady]

(Original post by youngtory)
Will do!




Thanks a lot for your advice can I ask, what is your accent like?

Hmm, I don't really have an accent as such; I'm softly spoken and pronounce words clearly/properly.

[youngtory]

(Original post by Iron Lady)
Hmm, I don't really have an accent as such; I'm softly spoken and pronounce words clearly/properly.

That's just what I'm going for too

[youngtory]

(Original post by Megaross)
What makes you think it'll make you any more understood by people overseas?

I've been on holiday to various countries and people have struggled with my accent. I suppose I already started changing my speech patterns by how I type, as most of my friends use slang and abbreviations when online/texting which I've completely cut out of my speaking patterns.

(Original post by Jammyj12)
I honestly wouldn't worry about your accent, it will have almost no effect on the rest of your life. I think regional accents are better and more interesting, where as I sound like a pretentious Pratt. Just be happy the way your are, but if it bothers you that much you could have eloctuion lessons

Why do you think you sound like a pretentious prat? There's nothing wrong with speaking clearly and correctly. And pretentiousness comes down to personality, not accent in my opinion!

[Jammyj12]

(Original post by youngtory)
Why do you think you sound like a pretentious prat? There's nothing wrong with speaking clearly and correctly. And pretentiousness comes down to personality, not accent in my opinion!

I have been told I do before, it is just an impression that you can get from a relavitly "posh" accent as people assume your stuck up and judge you before getting to know you. I'm just say that accents really don't matter

[JordanS94]

I had a weird accent it was a mixture of many places but I learnt to get rid of mine by singing .... I am a terrible singer but my accent vanishes for some reason try it