5 Tips for Public Speaking when you have an “Accent”
An American once asked me if I “put on” my accent every day, like it was an item of clothing or a statement necklace I could change on a whim. The question cracked me up and I still chuckle when I think about it. But underlying the question is that we often forget (or don’t realise) that we ALL have an accent. There’s no neutral version of English that doesn’t betray how or where you learned it.
Living in the US with a British accent has led to some pretty amusing encounters over the years: The conversation usually starts with them sharing a Monty Python reference and ends with an imitation of me saying “water bottle” to everyone’s great enjoyment. Somewhere in the middle people want the story of how and why I crossed the pond.
Over the years, many of the people I’ve written speeches for or have done public speaking coaching with have an accent because English is their second language. Often they’re concerned it will inhibit how they express their ideas and whether they will be understood by an audience.
If you’re in that boat, this post is for you:
Remember: You’re smarter than the rest of us
If your accent says you’re not a native speaker of the language you’re presenting in, it means you speak two (or maybe more) languages to a very high standard. Give yourself permission to feel a little bit smug about that before you get on stage and let it be a confidence boost, not a confidence blow. Not many people have your skills.
Acknowledge your accent up front
I once gave a speech when I was seven months pregnant. I was so hellbent on making sure that motherhood didn’t hold back my career that I didn’t acknowledge the massive bump that hovered between me and the audience. I missed an opportunity to connect with the audience and that came through in the feedback. If you have an accent most people will want to know where you’re from and what your story is. Sharing that at the start (even just a couple of sentences) is a wonderful opportunity to break the ice and connect with those listening.
Practice your presentation with a native speaker
This can help you identify and practice any words you find tricky in a safe space. It can also help you make sure your message and ideas are landing in the way you intend them to. But bottom line: Practicing is important whether you are a native speaker of the language you’re presenting in or not!
Learn your opening by heart
By the time you’ve got through your opening your nerves will have probably dissipated. If you don’t have to look at any notes for the first couple of minutes you can focus on building a connection with the audience and getting comfortable on stage.
Read this book
I love the book Permission to Speak by Hollywood vocal coach, Samara Bay. She dives deep into accents and what they say about us, ultimately concluding that “our voices reflect our life experiences”. Don’t be ashamed of your accent: It’s a reflection of who you are and if you’ve been given the opportunity to speak in public, people want to hear what you have to say.
