Self-conciouss about my english

Yes, it sounds weird but allow me to explain. English isn't my first language, and I immigrated from Russia to America five years ago, when I was fourteen. I already knew basic English, but I picked up the finer points of the language pretty fast, and I comprehend and use it very well. The problem is, I still have a really thick Russian accent.

I'm a creative writing/art major, and everyone always gives me odd looks whenever I read aloud something I've written because I still stumble over some sounds like B's, W's, and V's. Can anyone ever take me seriously as an author if I have this accent? I've tried to get rid of it, but I just can't shake it. Is this going to be a problem in my future? Will people judge me based on my accent, or is it perfectly normal to be a little self-conscious about this?

Voting Results
85% Normal
Based on 61 votes (52 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • Russian accent is badass.

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  • Don't worry about it. I love accents, some of my very good friends have accents, and thick ones too. I also grew up listening to a very thick accent that my mother has. As long as you know proper english you are going to be fine.

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  • You'll be judged mostly on your writing. Your accent will reveal your heritage. Thats OK - however - because the US takes a "melting pot" view on immigration - it is understandable that you feel some self-consciousness.

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  • ThatKidOverTh3re

    Since your aiming to be an author and not a narrator, I think you'll be fine :]
    Besides, Russian accents are the Uber cool :]

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  • chammpuzz

    accents are cool...

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  • AntoniusBlock

    I hope it'll help you to know that: people with Russian accents sound SO damned cool to native English speakers. If they look at you oddly, it's probably because they think yer cooler than they could ever be... and freaking sexy (metaphorically... AND, perhaps, literally--Russian accents have a certain charm, you know!)

    I studied Russian for about five years--and from the beginning, practically, it struck me that RUSSIAN IS A MUCH MORE LOGICAL LANGUAGE than English! And I realized that I would HATE to have to learn English, were I Russian! This damned language of ours is beautiful, in its way, but ridiculous and overly idiomatic--look at these words, how we have to spell them! It's ridiculous: one example out of a million: the word "motion." Were I an ESL speaker, I'd read it "Mo-tee-on." Because THAT makes sense--and English, mostly, DOESN'T make sense.

    Should I get started on articles (a, an, and the), I'd be writing yet longer--a full-fledged essay. Suffice it to say: ARTICLES ARE ILLOGICAL, and serve NO PURPOSE except to differentiate native speakers from second-language speakers...

    What kind of creative writing? You guys--wit yer Pushkin, yer Gogol, yer Dostoyevsky and Solzhenitsyn--you're brilliant! Even our greatest of the last century--Nabokov--is actually yours! And your accents are freaking awesome! I recommend flaunting it.

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  • BADMAN!

    I think if you want to focus on a field of work that is hinged on language. You should master the language in question. Do you also write in Russian? If so, do you find your writing style differs from one language to the other?

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    • BADMAN!

      BADMAN!

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  • I understand how you feel. I'm Brazilian, and immigrated to Canada two years ago (when I was 14 too). I have an accent, and, even though my friends say it's cute, I get SO self-counscious about it! I struggle with the Rs a lot, and I get really red when I say something wrong, and especially when other people can't understand me. I just blame everything on my accent, I guess :/

    I'm also into creative writing, so I know how you feel. I took writing classes at school and was very embarrassed to read my stories out loud because I stumbled upon words and felt like everyone was laughing at me.

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  • olivia82

    I love accents.

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  • meateater

    you may speak engish better than many first language english speakers...so i say dont worry...and yea russian accents are cool

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  • Chill_Pill

    I think that if people give you problems because of something so trivial then they are only jealous of your fantastic accent. The fact that you speak differently will only make you stand out (in a good way). We always put our own accents onto the things we read anyway and your verbal skills most likely will not translate onto the page (they definitely didn't show in your post). I personally think that Russian is hot and you should embrace your background, not hide from it...think of all the talent that has emerged from Russia in the past and you will see there is nothing to be ashamed of! And to answer if it's normal to be self-conscious about your accent, I would say yes, because many people from other countries encounter ignorant people who like to knock them based solely on this...even though I don't agree that this is healthy behavior on the part of the instigator. Good Luck on your writing!

    ~Peace~

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  • xmegwoodx

    Of course they will take you seriously and I think it makes you much more interesting. I've always been fascinated with Russian people.

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  • jellokatt

    are you kidding me?!?!?! that is soooo cool! russian accents are super freaking sexy, and make people seem mysterious and brooding.

    that's perfect for an author, or any other creative/artistic field. just wear a lot of black and try to act pissed off/aloof, and you've got it made!

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    • Rennox

      Oh, well thanks, jellokatt. I never thought about it that, though I'd rather not go around being pissed 24/7. XD

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