Is it normal to hate my own accent?

75% Normal
23 Comments

First Let's clear some things out. I live in the US and I've complet3d Junior High, High School and received my bachelors already. I'm 25 years old and I have a problem with my voice and my accent. I came to the US when I was 13 going on 14. I emigrated from the Ukraine(Slavic country next to Russia). Anyways, I do have a foreign accent and it bothers me a great deal. It has gotten to the point where I would find myself sitting at home creating clouds of doubt and berating myself. And to top it all I hat3e my voice..at times I sit home and record myself. I used to date this nice African-American girl, which i'm still friends with and she brought up my accent one night. It makes me feel awful like i'm a 2nd class citizen..i'm afraid to even open my mouth.. Is this normal? What can I do? Please help

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 173 votes (130 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 23 )
  • disthing
    10 years ago

    Why did you give us your educational background?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • LaBellisima
      10 years ago

      lol, i suppose no one has questioned that. but its a good question!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • GuessWho
    10 years ago

    Why would anyone want to pick up an American accent?

    Chances are that you speak better English than the locals.

    I most certainly have no intention of speaking like an American, and even the Americans always seem to be impressed by my proper English.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • NormalIsOverratedBeANinja
      10 years ago

      At least you get an excuse to speak properly. If you're born and raised in 'Murrica, you're expected to talk like everyone else.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • Rainbow_Cookie
        10 years ago

        N Xpected to right like tiz yo lol

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
    • MarionDillan
      10 years ago

      I don't know why but I've always coveted having an American accent..I guess we all covet something we don't have..
      What other language do you speak ?
      You're absolutely right! I do happen to speak a more proper English than the locals here..
      Thanks for your input !

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
  • SkullsNBones
    10 years ago

    I would say it's normal to be insecure about how your voice sounds, I am reguarly mocked for sounding "posh", "like the queen", or "like the posh girl on wild child", and this is in my own country! You shouldn't feel like a second class citizen for it, most people (myself included) find foreign accents very atractive.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • flowergirl87
      10 years ago

      I get the posh thing too! Used to bother me a bit but then I gained perspective. Now it's fine. People assume I'm rich because of it - it's hilarious. I'm not rich. At all.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      2
      2
    • MarionDillan
      10 years ago

      I think I'm too hard on myself when it comes to my accent..it's become an obsession and is slowly driving me to an early grave..:/ but I'd like to stop it.
      I FYI I happen to find English accent very sexy ! I wish I could meet you! You're so sweet!
      Thank you for your kind words !

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Terence_the_viking
    10 years ago

    Hold the phone you mean there are pople out there that hate their voice.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • soul-man
    10 years ago

    Yeah, I know what that feels like. I come from a similar background and so far I've been mistaken for Italian, Russian, Romanian, British, Norwegian, Polish and, oddly enough, Amish(!). I don't mind it though, most people seem to like my accent, and foreign accents in general.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • MarionDillan
      10 years ago

      Aaa I know that feeling too well by now ! I used to not care about it so much until I had to work in a bank which had me converse a lot and my accent came out.
      But like I said, my accent is subtle but it's still there and it bothers me. I'll have to embrace it and make sure to not put too much emphasis on it from now on.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • philosephorSteve
        10 years ago

        dont let it bother you ! i wish i had an accent .. move to canada and girls will go crazy for you

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • flowergirl87
    10 years ago

    It sounds like you're really hung up on this! : / We all worry about things that aren't actually that important from time to time. I know what it's like to feel like something is a problem, when in reality, it's not. I understand that you feel it's a problem and I don't mean to sound like I'm dismissing that, but in reality, is it really holding you back? You are still you. Being a good person is the most important thing. If anyone judges you for your voice/accent, then they need to take a long hard look at themselves. I do get that you don't personally like it, but I reckon you could grow to like it as you go on in your life, or at least live with it! I'm sure you're not alone.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • philosephorSteve
    10 years ago

    damn man , donta feel bad about your accent ! im from canada (not the french part ) and i dont have an accent at all its just plain ... ive allways wanted a cool accent !! chicks dig it too ;)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Paradiddle
    10 years ago

    It sounds normal to dislike it but only because of the attention and questions it gets. I have a friend who dislikes her accent because everywhere she speaks, people ask her where she is from and what nationality she is. She is tired of answering it and just wants to start conversations without people asking. However, I don't think she "hates" it. As mentioned, people generally like hearing different accents than the area they are in and it turns out to be quite lovely to them. If the problem is that people are asking too much then there isn't anything that can be done and I'm sure everyone asking is just curious in a good way, not a bad way.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • MarionDillan
      10 years ago

      Honestly speaking whenever I start a conversation, people never ask me of my origins. That leads me to believe that my accent isn't as strong as I make it to be. I always berate myself for everything n I'm trying to work hard to make my accent sound as subtle as possible. I had wanted to adapt to American accent but it won't be possible for my original accent to fade away. I sound great and my accent isn't as bad as I make it out to be but because I'm a perfectionist I focus on the smallest details. Thanks for your response :)

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • 53739
    8 years ago

    Sometimes accents are hard to lose completely.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Rainbow_Cookie
    10 years ago

    Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about it! Everyone has accents! Even people from different parts of the USA have accents! :) and I hate my voice too! At some point you just have to let it go, forget about it, and just enjoy life!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • 69
    10 years ago

    first of all you should try and hear yourself as you most likely sound to other people. voice recordings aren't very true. take two sheets of sturdy paper or something similar and put them next to/in front of your ears like this [ ]o[ ] blocking the sound so you hear it after it has "traveled" around the room. now about your accent you can find yourself an accent coach and learn techniques to practice and improve but i'm not sure an accent that has been with you for over 10 years will go away now. the ideal age for that is childhood and you moved when you were a teen. a better option in my opinion is accepting that as part of who you are and learning to love it, it is a part of you after all. i'm curious to know what the friend said when she mentioned your accent. was it something in the lines of it being cute or being weird?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • AvrilLavigne
    10 years ago

    Same story here. I'm a Japanese-Filipino girl, I speak 3 languages and 2 dialects but I have a terrible accent. I always think to not to speak if don't needed cause I might give a shame for myself.. But fear not, be proud of who you are. You're not the only here. :)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • MarionDillan
      10 years ago

      Hey there! Honestly I have stated before that my accent isn't as bad as I make it out to be :) I am a trilingual and I'm proud of it but it does affect my ability to speak English without any accents. I guess I should embrace it :)
      And I doubt you have a " horrible" accent. I love Asian girls ! You should not feel for your accent hun. It makes you unique :)

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • RomeoDeMontague
    10 years ago

    My accent isnt an accent. I have a speech impediment.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -2
    -2