There are numerous reasons why you should speak with an American accent. US English or American accent is the most spoken accent worldwide.
If you are a beginner and learning the English language, speaking with an American accent will boost your confidence.
For example, if you are planning to take IELTS or PTE exam, it is also very important for you to speak with an American accent.
You may get additional marks for accent during your speaking in IELTS or PTE exam speaking.
So you need to understand how to speak with an American accent. But before that, let’s understand the importance of speaking with an American accent.
Importance Of Speaking With an American Accent
Before you learn how to speak with an American accent, you must know the importance of speaking with an American accent.
Speaking with an American accent can have several personal and professional benefits. Here are a few reasons why you should speak with an American accent.
Improved Communication
The first benefit of speaking with an American accent is improved communication. If you’re an English language learner or you’re speaking to someone who is not familiar with your native accent, speaking with an American accent can help you to be understood more easily. As American accent is the most used and understood accent worldwide.
Career Advancement
In some professional fields, speaking with an American accent can be very beneficial. For example, if you work in an MNC (multinational company) or in a field where English is the standard language, having a good American accent can help you to advance your career.
Increased Confidence
Speaking with an American accent can also increase your confidence. When you’re able to speak clearly and effectively, it can boost your self-esteem and make you feel more comfortable at social events.
Improved English Proficiency
Practicing an American accent can improve your overall English proficiency. By focusing on pronunciation, stress, and rhythm, you’ll become more familiar with the English language and be able to express yourself more clearly.
Cultural Integration
If you’re living in an English-speaking country, speaking with an American accent can help you become familiar with the culture and feel more comfortable communicating with others.
How To Speak With An American Accent
There are eight tips for how to speak with an American accent:
- Learn the sounds of English
- Learn Schwa( the neutral vowel sound)
- Use Dictionary
- Make a list of words
- Watch video lessons
- Record yourself and listen to your mistake carefully
- Speak Sentences
- Practice
Learn the sounds of English:
Firstly, most languages share familiar sounds similar to each other. These differences are very noticeable when native speakers hear the speech. In addition, it is essential to know how to pronounce all the vowel and consonant sounds in American English.
For instance,
IPA Symbol | Graphemes | Examples | Voiced? |
d | d, dd, ed | Dad, add, milled | Yes |
b | b, bb | bug, bubble | Yes |
Learn Schwa (the neutral vowel sound):
Schwa is a unique sound. It is used for all unstressed vowels in American Language. Moreover, Schwa may be a short or weak sound, but it is imperative. For Example- a: balloon, e: problem.
Use a Dictionary:
If you don’t know how to pronounce sounds in the American language, you should use a dictionary. Firstly, Check a dictionary, and Secondly, remember the proper pronunciation. For example, The Oxford English Dictionary.
Make a list of words:
There are lots of English words that are difficult to pronounce. So, making a list of words is the best way to remember difficult words.
Watch video lessons:
Some words and sounds are difficult to pronounce when you speak English. So, this is the best way to remember the words or sounds. In addition, there are various free videos or tutorials available online for your help.
Record yourself and listen to your mistakes carefully:
If you want to know your progress, this is the only way. Moreover, You can record your voice and listen to your mistakes carefully. Also, you will be able to compare your pronunciation with others.
Speak Sentences:
If you know the pronunciation of every word, it doesn’t mean that you speak correctly when you have to speak English effectively. Furthermore, if you talk sentences and phrases instead of single words, it is very beneficial for you to learn or speak the American language quickly.
Practice:
We all know that practice makes men perfect. There are no shortcuts. Furthermore, If you practice or pronounce the words daily, this benefits you. In addition, this is the best way to achieve your goal. Moreover, Continuous practice and repetition are the keys to success.
General tips on speaking:
There are many tips on speaking, such as saying slower, pausing after phrases, speaking louder, enunciating more, emphasizing essential words, and so on.
Speak Slower:
If you speak slowly, it makes your conversation easy to understand and practical.
Pause after phrases:
Always remind and give a pause after every phrase or sentence. It makes your conversation effective and easy to understand.
Speak louder:
Always remember that you can speak louder in every sentence. So your voice is audible to everyone.
Emphasize essential words:
Every phrase has a specific keyword that is the focus. So you always emphasize the vital words.
Enunciate More:
There is a difference between British English and American English. Americans pronounce everything. For instance, “Bottle” American accents include the T, while British English would exclude the T.
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How To Speak With An American Accent : Video
Understand the Importance of Contractions
American speakers always use contractions. It is not Grammatically correct, but a combination of terms used to speak faster.
For instance,
- can not = can’t
- are not = aren’t
- I have = I’ve
- we have = we’ve
- You are = you’re.
Tips For How To Speak With an American Accent
Here are some tips:
Master the ‘Schwa’ Sound
Schwa is a Short neutral vowel sound. Moreover, Every vowel can make it, denoted by the “ǝ” symbol.
In addition, The ‘uh’ Sound pronounces Schwa in words.
Here are some examples (in underlining)
- Family
- Problem
- Balloon
- Chocolate
- Syringe
- Support.
This tip is very beneficial for speaking with an American accent.
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Conclusion:
Here, in this blog, we have explained how to speak with an American accent. Speaking with an American accent gives students confidence.
We have provided the importance of speaking with an American accent before explaining tips for speaking with an American accent.
Speaking with an American accent is also beneficial if you want to migrate to an English-speaking nation to study or work and planning to take the IELTS and PTE exams.
So if you still have any questions or queries related to how to speak with an American accent, you may contact our experts or let us know through comments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I sound like an American?
The best way to improve your accent is to keep speaking or listening in American English. In addition, always try to listen to music or songs in the American language.
Is an American accent easy to do?
Well, it takes time to do an American accent. But you can do it with your hard work on pronunciation and also practice a lot.