Accent Moderation

Let me first say that I love accents. I love dialects, I love slang, and I love regional accents—not just accents from speaking a second language, but also accents in a first language. Accents and dialects communicate much more than the words being spoken. They communicate cultural context such as values and information about one’s relationship to a particular place and time. I firmly reject the push toward language homogenization and the popular narrative that there is but one way to speak “correctly” and having a strong accent equates to lack of intelligence. 

Think about things differently


However, I understand the importance of the ability to moderate one’s accent for a particular audience. I naturally have a strong regional accent, and very early in my life, I realized that it affected how people viewed me, often for the negative. I began to practice speaking Standard American English and quickly realized that I was viewed much more positively. Unfortunately changing my natural accent also meant that I lost some connection to myself. While it’s important to be understandable to a broad audience, I believe it’s of equal importance to maintain the connection to your history.

For my ESL students I’ve encouraged them to prioritize being understandable. Unless they have ambitions of being an actor that can play roles from different regions, it’s not necessary to rid themselves of their accent entirely. Similarly, I don’t think it’s necessary to “pick” an accent in a second language. Generally, pronunciation between American English and British English is mutually intelligible. Certainly, certain words can be confusing without clear speech, and I like to with minimal pairs to help learners develop awareness of the difference of similar sounds and strengthen their facial musculature used to produce those sounds.

Minimal pairs are a pair of words that sound the same but with one difference, e.g.,  like and lake. I first introduce similar sounds together and then have students practice making the different sounds with minimal pairs. In the following list I would have students listen to me say the “th” words, then, they would repeat the “th” words. I would then reveal the minimal pair list. I would read one pair at a time and have the student repeat after me. Then, I would have the student read through the pairs on their own, stopping and working through any pain points. 


thin | sin 
thumb | sum 
three | tree 
thick | sick 
think | sink


There are many possibilities depending on which sound a learner wants to practice. Speakers of a particular first language often share struggles when it comes to pronunciations. For example English “b” sounds and “v” sounds can be tricky for students who speak Spanish as their first language. 

I’m curious, have you ever used minimal pairs? As a student? As a teacher? Both? What has been your experience with accent moderation philosophy and techniques?

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