How did I get interested in Accent Modification?

May I share a story with you, which I think emphasizes the importance of creating both ease and pleasure for the listeners of your message…

Recently, in one of my social communities, we were introduced to a very powerful world changer from the continent of Africa. Per his dignified personal appearance, he presented himself, as a distinguished and caring visionary. His message: The government of this well-known third world country had tried unsuccessfully for many years to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Our speaker took it upon himself to address this issue a different way. His problem-solving approach was more holistic. By redirecting the focus of national efforts toward the healing of the people’s spirit, soul and body, he had been able to help thousands more citizens than their government officials.

Within a few years, tens of thousands of people were able to begin living healthy and prosperous lives. Many of these gifted, but oppressed people, achieved incredible successes in business and finance. Our speaker had effected positive and miraculous changes in a relatively short period of time. Remarkable achievements!

During his initial speaking engagement, the whole listening audience, (including me) were awestruck by his remarkable successes. At the end of his initial speech, he left us with a special gift. He gave us access to view 5, forty-minute videos in which he would share the intimate details of his incredible leadership skills. I couldn’t wait to hear how he had overcome the obstacles, helping his countrymen to heal physically and emotionally from years of trauma imposed by corrupt leadership. I was most curious about how he had multiplied his successes by discipling some who then discipled many others.

Although I had noted that this wonderful man was a bit hard to understand, I was intellectually hungry for his knowledge. I was thrilled to begin listening to his video-recorded messages.

Within about thirty minutes of listening to his enchanting story-telling, I noted that something was happening to me. I was straining to discern his speech and had developed listener fatigue. As you know, I am a communication professional. My skills are honed to both perceive and to “shape” incorrect approximations of American English.

Surprising-even to myself, I had chose to “turn off” the speaker of a message that I very much wanted to hear. I took a break from the sessions and never went back to listen to his remaining messages.

I had disengaged from he speaker because it was a physical struggle for me to continue to listen to his heavily accented English. I was able to listen for perhaps thirty minutes, however I could not “hang in” to listen to the total of his content. I am sure that I had missed the best part of his information.

It was then, that I realized that even within a few short weeks of mutual effort-his and mine that I could have helped this gentleman. He was brilliant. With a bit of direction and some practice, he could learn to speak American English, within the cultural parameters of his targeted listening audience, which was us.

Regrettably, I gave up on listening to something that I wanted to hear. I am sure that many other “would-be” listeners, also, never bothered to tap into his wisdom and experiences.

It occurred to me that not only was it important for him to polish the clarity of the content of his message for his American audience, but it was a courtesy to his would-be listeners.