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Accent Modification Paper

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Accent Modification and its Efficacy in Patients with Accents
Emily Barnett
Harding University of Searcy, Arkansas The goal of this research paper is to explore the specialty of accent modification within the field of speech-language pathology. This paper will define accent modification and discuss its purpose among those receiving this elective therapy. Methods and techniques for implementing accent modification, how effective these techniques are, how they are used in accent modification, why accent modification is relevant in our world today, and how speech science is related to accent modification will also be discussed.
According to ASHA, “an accent refers to a phonetic trait from a person’s original language that is carried …show more content…

101). Because our speech is habitual, it is very difficult for many to change the way that they speak (Ojakangas, 2013, p. 101). Ojakangas informs us that changing one’s speech patterns involves changing the circuitry of the brain and how it functions, and she describes two different types of motor learning that are entailed in accent modification (Ojakangas, 2013, p. 102). The first of these is motor adaptation, in which previously learned movement is scaled to new environmental requirements; in other words, it is the act of modifying an existent sound to use in another language in similar phonemic contexts (Ojakangas, 2013, p. 102). The second type of motor learning that Ojakangas describes is motor skill learning, which involves learning to produce a new movement altogether (Ojakangas, p. 102). It is important to note that those who have accent differences within their native language face different problems than those learning to speak a new language. Thus, a different approach is needed in accent modification for native-language speakers than those who have an accent because they are not native speakers of the language (Barb, 2005, p. 11). When looking at the two types of motor learning that commonly take place in accent modification, it can be inferred that a …show more content…

Since one’s intonation comes natural with their language and is not “taught”, it is helpful for those trying to modify their accent to be able to visualize their own intonation patterns as opposed to common intonation patterns of the accent they desire (Shoemaker, 1996). With the use of a specialized module for a computerized speech laboratory (CSL) created by Dr. Agin with Kay Elemetrics Corp., Lincoln Park, NJ, differences in sentence intonation patterns among non-native speakers can be illustrated. One can speak into the system through a microphone and receive visual feedback regarding their intonations as opposed to the standard intonations of the language (Shoemaker, 1996). This visualization illustrates their pitch characteristics and intonation patterns, allowing the speaker to see what changes they may need to make in pitch and intonation in order to further improve their accent. Intonation is vital in languages at the sentence and conversation level in determining whether a question is being asked or a statement is being made. For this reason, the computerized speech lab is very beneficial to those learning to modify their accent among the non-native population. As outlined above, accent modification is a rapidly growing area in the field of speech-language pathology, among both regional and foreign accents.

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