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Step 1
Tune in to how the locals speak and compare it to your way of speaking. The more you listen to them, the more you will adjust your pacing, choice of words and pronunciation.
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Step 2
Listen to television personalities and news announcers. They have been trained to speak in a neutral accent. Try repeating some of the things they say. It can be difficult to tell if you're progressing with your accent reduction. Ask a friend to listen to you and to point out what makes your speech different.
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Step 3
If you get teased about certain words, you can consciously train yourself to change that word. I moved from the midwest to the east coast, and trained myself to quit saying it's time to "warsh" the clothes. Now I say "wash," but it took awhile to correct myself.
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Step 4
It isn't always the way you say something, it can be your choice of words that betray that you aren't from this area. For instance, some regions say "soda" and some say "pop" and some say "cola." You need to train your ear to pick up the preferred words used by locals. After some time, you won't even think about it. When you go back to your hometown, you'll have to remember to say "supper" even though in the place you now live, it's called "dinner."
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Step 5
You can buy CDs or DVDs that are accent reduction programs. Check at the public library to see if they have them available for borrowing.
Comments
derbyka said
on 7/1/2009 I recently moved to Florida and on a visit back "home" to Chicago, I was told I had lost my accent. It was funny because I hadn't even been trying.
crutor said
on 6/23/2009 i speak with the scottish accent and nobody told me i sound funny so i speak with it. dunno why you should change your accent because of a new area.
Myshashi said
on 3/27/2009 Yes. If you live somewhere for a long time, you would develop another accent. Never just keep your mouth closed. The best way is to listen to your voice recorded every time and try to lose this accent, if that's what you really wanted to do... try also to pay attention on yourself when speaking so not to sound hick try watching the news, and emulating the way the anchors and newscasters speak. Yeah, GA can sound pretty hick. On the other hand, you don't want to lose it all, because there is a sort of sexiness to it, too. So, try to learn how to enunciate like a newscaster. If you don't succeed on your own, diction classes, and maybe some acting/speech classes can help, too. For more help, http://www.neutralaccent.com
Crabcakes said
on 3/12/2009 Good tips if needed! I happen to LOVE regional accents and wish I HAD one! Maybe I should do your tips in reverse! Ha! I have a neutral accent.
motherNN said
on 2/26/2009 If you have to for your job, well OK but those accents are VERY wonderful, sexy, unique, charming, keep a little of it for your off work time :)5*