Chapter 12
Putting the Accent on Accents
In This Chapter
Examining the pros and cons of accents
Addressing aspects of class and education
Developing the best of your accent
Choosing to change
You may be turning to this chapter because you hate your accent or sense that people don’t quite accept you because of your accent. The first words I’m tempted to say on the subject – before you can even jump in and disagree! – are that you can speak influentially and well in any accent. The most important features of good communication – clarity, volume, energy and emotional content such as determination, excitement, love, enthusiasm and seriousness – are found in voices of every accent. These aspects influence listeners, far more than a particular accent.
Everyone has an accent. A voice without an accent doesn’t exist. Some people speak like you and some other people don’t. What is often called Received Pronunciation or BBC English is just a southern English accent that came to prominence and ...
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