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Thread ID: 110425 2010-06-16 21:55:00 How do I get rid of my accent? Renmoo (66) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1110847 2010-06-17 06:48:00 Start your own chemist shop up in South Auckland but keep a shottie under the counter. prefect (6291)
1110848 2010-06-17 07:26:00 On a sidenote, I have *just* (yay) been employed as a retail assistant at a pharmacy in Auckland. I will use this as an opportunity to build-up my communication confidence. :)

:clap Well done Jamuz! Congratulations.

Back to the topic, I think too, just be yourself. Your written English is much much better than most. Could it be, your speech is likewise much better but you're a little too hard on yourself?

Best wishes.
WalOne (4202)
1110849 2010-06-17 08:07:00 One method favoured by some Buddhist sects is to await a more favourable turn of the wheel. ;) According to the Dragon, having a kid is pretty effective, they constantly say "That's not how WE say it" once they hit school. R2x1 (4628)
1110850 2010-06-17 08:57:00 Very few people pick me as being English most think I was born somewhere in NZ as I have hardly any accent at all gary67 (56)
1110851 2010-06-17 09:20:00 Congratulations Jamuz! You must have sorted out that CV very well!
Just be yourself and you'll get along fine.
coldot (6847)
1110852 2010-06-17 09:49:00 Asians have problems pronouncing 'R' sounds. So Rice ends up sounding like Lice.
If you are that worried go to a voice coach or just talk really fast like most kiwis do and then they will understand you.

There's been research that has shown that essentially we 'learn to hear' the sounds that are particular to our own language, and fail to come to grips with languages that have different core sounds.
Apparently this explains why asians struggle with R and often substitute L sounds. The reverse also applies, so westerners are inherently poor at hearing the tones that make asian tongues sound more coherent than the ying yong yang which dominates what a western ear hears.

I concur with both the themes of advice. Immersion - speaking lots with kiwis, who listen with kiwi ears will help, as will coaching from a professional who understands the issues that are relevant to the hearing and tonguing issues that are causing you difficulty.

Deliberately slowing down your speech may also help a lot.
Paul.Cov (425)
1110853 2010-06-17 09:58:00 Being a Pharmacist-to-be it is important that people clearly understand you (as you have realised). But that doesn't mean you have to pick up a Kiwi accent. As already mentioned, practice pronouncing your words so they are clear and maybe speak a bit more slowly. When people are nervous they tend to speak fast and run their words together. I know I do.

I have spoken with you before, and understood you with no problems. :)

Regarding picking up an accent, I have this annoying habit of unconsciously mimicking local accents. I had this pointed out to me several times when touring England much to my embarrassment.
Jen (38)
1110854 2010-06-17 10:49:00 Regarding picking up an accent, I have this annoying habit of unconsciously mimicking local accents. I had this pointed out to me several times when touring England much to my embarrassment.

Hope you do a good job of it. Could be a bit embarrassing if the locals think you are making fun of them
Greven (91)
1110855 2010-06-17 12:07:00 Was talking in an Irish accent to a Scottish guy one night. Woke up the next morning with a sore jaw. Apparently they're not the same thing, who would've known. --Wolf-- (128)
1110856 2010-06-17 12:14:00 As long as you keep your head still.

What?
beeswax34 (63)
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