How to Develop a Dedicated American Accent

Practice vowels in the mirror.

American accents are unique in the world. They are the only accents that are flat in sound and many times in expression. Although there are southern lilts and Jersey twists, the classic American accent is slightly monotone and a tad nasal. European accents are melodious, almost singing, and many come from a Latin origin. Asian accents are almost like words are being popped out of one's mouth, staccato sounds that can go from high to low within a sentence. And British accents, while using the same language as American accents, are clipped and chopped with a bit of a slur. If you want to speak with a classic American accent, follow these simple steps.

Instructions

1. Listen to American television and radio news programs. Unlike TV shows and movies, which are often set in different regions of the country and therefore prone to regional accent variations, the news is mostly done with a standard American sound.

2. Practice one syllable words that have one vowel sound, e.g., car, fig, bank, leaf and plan. None of these should spread over into two syllables or have a vowel sound other than the dominant vowel in the word.

3. Exercise your lips by forming words like yellow, push and swallow. Look in a mirror to make sure that your mouth is making very defined Os and you are speaking with a very open mouth and flexible lips.

4. Practice the tongue twister "red leather, yellow leather" and repeat it over and over until you can do it several times with clarity, making sure you are enunciating each word.

5. If you know any Americans or know places where they congregate, there's nothing better than hearing the real deal. Listen and repeat.

References

• Learn an American Accent