The French don’t care what they do actually / As long as they pronounce it properly.
“Henry Higgins” in Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady
frequently asked questions
- How much time does it take to learn a new accent?
- What does it take to learn an accent or dialect?
- What’s the difference between an accent and a dialect?
- Do you work with differently with performers and non-performers?
- What accents do you teach?
- I need accent reduction. Can you help me?
- English is not my first language. Can you help me?
- Do you work with kids?
How much time does it take to learn a new accent?
It all depends … I can help you prepare a new accent for an audition in one to three hours, depending on length of the piece, the complexity of the accent, and your previous training and experience. Usually, though, that’s only a quick fix. It’s appropriate for an audition (especially if you’ve gotten short notice). But for sustained work in a performance, or to build a portfolio of accents and dialects, you may want additional time for more in-depth work.
Remember, everybody’s different! One size doesn’t fit all. Much depends on your natural abilities, your previous training and experience (if any), and how diligent you are about doing your homework.
What does it take to learn an accent or dialect?
For fluency in accents and dialects, it really helps to have a methodical approach to basic skills, the “building blocks” of speech, so that you can apply them in different ways. That way, you won’t have to feel over-focused on your speech instead of your acting. An accent is a good servant, but a poor master!
It’s a lot like learning how to play an instrument. You can’t play compositions before you’ve learned what notes are, and you can’t play with expression until you’ve mastered technique. Speech skills improve along the same lines, and require the same kind of attention and practice.
Fortunately, it gets easier as you go along. Just as many musicians learn to play more than one instrument, you’ll be able to pick up all sorts of accents and dialects more readily once you’ve mastered your first one.
What’s the difference between an accent and a dialect?
Dialect refers to a variant form of a language, as spoken by the members of a specific community. The community might be distinguished by geographical region, or perhaps by social class or ethnic origin. A dialect usually differs from the standard form of a language in its grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, as well as its pronunciation.
Some scholars consider the standard form to be simply one dialect among all those belonging to a given language; from that point of view, you might think of each dialect of a language as having its own rules, which may differ – a little or a lot – from that language’s other dialects.
Note that non-standard doesn’t mean sub-standard. If the members of a specific community communicate effectively with each other in a non-standard dialect, they are not speaking the standard dialect incorrectly, but their own dialect correctly.
The standard form is often spoken as a first language by only a minority of speakers of any form of that language; it is, however, likely to be understood by the majority, so it can be especially useful for communicating to a wider community, across dialect “boundaries.”
Accent refers solely to the pronunciation of a language (or dialect). If you speak aloud, you have an accent – it’s impossible to talk without one!
It is common to hear a standard form of language spoken with any number of accents, but non-standard dialects tend to have specific accents associated with them. So while one might easily hear French spoken with (for example) a Parisian accent, a Belgian accent, or a Swiss accent, it would be highly unusual to hear Cajun French spoken with a Provençal accent, or Puerto Rican Spanish with a Castilian accent, or Jamaican Patois with an Australian accent.
In theatre, film, and television (at least in the USA), these terms are sometimes defined differently. In performance jargon, accent may refer to pronunciation that derives from a language other than the one being spoken, and dialect may refer to regional pronunciation of the standard language. So actors may speak of a French accent for a role written entirely in English, but a Scottish dialect for a role written in standard English, but pronounced with a Scottish accent.
I usually use the first set of definitions; but what matters most is that all parties involved in a discussion can agree on terminology, and get on with the business at hand.
Do you work with differently with performers and non-performers?
There is no significant difference when I am teaching how to distinguish and pronounce consonants and vowels (the “building blocks” of speech) with precision. Beyond that, it varies from client to client, not just performer to non-performer. For all of my clients, I shape our lesson plans with their previous experience and personal goals in mind.
You can read a list of the accents and dialects I have most often coached here. I can teach others, too.
I need accent reduction. Can you help me?
Accent reduction is a term I don’t like, especially for performers. Your speech patterns are a part of you; why would you want to lose them? But if your everyday speech is limiting your castability (or, for non-performers, your ability to get work, receive promotion, or do your job effectively), I will be delighted to work with you on accent acquisition.
By increasing your overall speech skills, you can make adjustments that are appropriate to the job at hand – whether it’s learning to speak just as your character would speak, acing an interview, developing a more “corporate” sound for office work, or even improving your telephone communication. The way you speak with your friends and family is your business, not mine. I believe that if you can reach your listeners – no matter who they are – effectively, you are speaking well. If you have different kinds of listeners in your life, then accent acquisition will help you reach them all.
English is not my first language. Can you help me?
Yes, if you are an advanced speaker of English. You must have a good command of grammar and vocabulary. I do not teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL, ESL). If you still require instruction in the English language, you are not ready for the kind of accent polishing I can help you with.Realistic expectations: It is usually easier for children up to twelve years old to acquire new languages and accents than it is for older learners. So it can be a bit harder for an adult to acquire an American accent for daily use. The good news is, that with expert guidance and daily practice, you will be able to speak with fewer obvious markers of your original language. And it is certainly possible to sound truly American on learned text (lines in a play or screenplay). You won’t even have to worry about the grammar and vocabulary – they are in your script!
Motivation and discipline are key. If you attend your hour-long sessions weekly (twice weekly at the beginning, if possible) stay focused, and do your homework diligently and mindfully, you will always improve.
Yes! Young actors I have worked with include Dylan Riley Snyder, Matthew Gumley, Gabrielle Piacentile, and Bridget Megan Clark. In The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd: Dalton Harrod, Lance Chantiles-Wertz, Amanda Roberts, Emma Kantor. In Coming Home by Athol Fugard: Mel Eichler, Namumba Santos. In A Civil War Christmas, by Paula Vogel: Faith Philpot and Malenky Welsh. In the National Tour of Doctor Dolittle: Shadoe Alan Brandt. In the short film Ezekiel’s Revelation: Max Miner and Samantha Grossman. Also Justin Spiegel in Cocteau Rep’s production of Tom Stoppard’s Night and Day, and many young voice actors in their guest roles on Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!
I work the same way with children as I do with adults – except that for private coaching, a parent or guardian must be in attendance.
Ask for references, and I’ll be glad to put you in touch with the parents of some of my young clients.
Want to start adding to your speech skills? Please for detailed attention to your accent, dialect, or other speech and text needs.
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