How to “Lose” or Modify Your Accent to Sound More American
If you’re an actor or professional looking to modify your accent and adopt a more American sound, you’re not alone. The American accent is a broad and varied spectrum, but there are specific elements that can help you achieve a more neutral, general American sound. By focusing on key physical aspects of speech, such as the release of the jaw and tongue, as well as adjusting vowel shapes and articulator placement, you can successfully shift your accent.
Understanding the Width of the American Dialect
The American accent is not monolithic—there are numerous regional variations, from the twang of the Southern accent to the nasal tones of the Midwest. However, when most people talk about “sounding American,” they usually mean a General American accent, which is considered neutral and is often heard in national media.
To achieve this accent, the key is not to eliminate your natural voice but to adjust specific speech habits. One of the first steps is focusing on the width of the sounds. American speech often involves more relaxed and open vowel shapes compared to other accents. This relaxation starts with how you hold your jaw and tongue during speech.
Releasing the Jaw and Tongue
One of the main characteristics of the General American accent is the relaxed jaw and tongue. In many other accents, there is more tension, leading to crisper or tighter sounds. In contrast, Americans tend to speak with their jaws slightly dropped and their tongues more relaxed, which creates a broader, more open resonance.
To practice, try consciously relaxing your jaw and letting your tongue rest lower in your mouth. When you speak with less tension, the sounds naturally begin to reflect the width and openness that is typical of the American accent.
The Lack of Lip Rounding
Another feature that distinguishes the American accent is the minimal use of lip rounding. In many accents, particularly European ones, lips are rounded when pronouncing certain vowels, giving them a more distinct or “clipped” sound. In American speech, however, this rounding is less prominent, especially with vowels like “o” or “u.”
To modify your accent, practice keeping your lips more relaxed when forming vowel sounds. This simple adjustment will help you move away from the rounder vowel shapes of other accents and achieve a more American sound.
Mastering Vowel Shapes
Vowels are one of the most significant contributors to an accent. In American English, vowels are often longer and more drawn out than in other dialects. For example, the “a” in “cat” has a flatter, more open shape, while the “o” in “not” is often pronounced with a low, relaxed tongue and less rounding of the lips.
To sound more American, pay close attention to how you form your vowel sounds. Focus on the position of your tongue and the openness of your mouth. Practice stretching out vowel sounds, especially in longer words, to get used to the more relaxed, drawn-out quality that is typical in American speech.
Placement and Pressure of the Articulators
The articulators—namely, the tongue, lips, and teeth—play a critical role in shaping speech. For a more American sound, the tongue is the most important articulator to focus on. In American English, the tongue tends to stay lower and flatter, with less pressure applied during speech compared to accents that have more clipped or precise consonants.
For instance, the “t” and “d” sounds in American English are often softer, with less tongue pressure against the teeth. Practicing softening these sounds can help in smoothing out the rhythm and flow of your speech, making it sound more natural in American English.
Conclusion
While modifying your accent to sound more American can be a challenging process, focusing on specific techniques—such as relaxing your jaw and tongue, minimizing lip rounding, adjusting your vowel shapes, and refining the placement of your articulators—can make a significant difference. With consistent practice and awareness of these key speech elements, you can gradually adapt your accent and sound more American, whether for acting roles or professional communication.