My "Come and Go" Accent

[Anonymous]

I grew up on what I like to think of as right on the cusp of the southern United States. While my parents don't have that stereotypical southern accent, I know my fair share of people who do. I have also learned how to put on that southern accent with ease. It wasn't until recently that I realized that I was using this ability to my advantage. Depending on who I am talking to, I tend to put on a bit of a twang. Certain words get shortened and my vowels get longer. Sometimes I get so deep that I start to throw in a few "y'alls" or "all y'all."

Especially where I'm from, I've found that some people feel more comfortable talking to someone with a bit of an accent. It lessens the formality that my standard speaking voice tends to put on. There's just something so hospitable about a gentle twang. Considering the fact that I am a waitress who is working on my graduate degree that will allow me to work in the field of healthcare, I am definitely in the business of making people feel comfortable with me. So I don't mind my come and go accent. I've learned to embrace it and to use it for good!

[Anonymous]

Well, you certainly aren't the first to have done this or to do this because it is a well known phenomenon that we as humans will sub consciously mimic those around us. In the Journal of Attention, Perception and Psychophysics, a study was done to illustrate this. It was noted that: "We intentionally imitate subtle aspects of each other's mannerisms, postures and facial expressions. We also imitate each other's speech patterns, including inflections, talking speed and speaking time. Sometimes we even take on the foreign accent of the person to whom we are talking, leading to embarrassing consequences" all in a subconscious effort to make those around us feel more comfortable and for them to find us more relatable.

[JimRSmith]

I do the same thing, to a certain extent.

It's not as much of a conscious thing as you're describing, but I'm told it happens, nevertheless.