| ACQUIRING
THE AMERICAN ACCENT
FOR IMAGE ENHANCEMENT
“The limits of my language are the limits
of my world.” --Ludwig Wittgenstein
"What do you want to be when you grow up?” Each
one of us has responded to that question at one time or
another in our young lives. But I guess what we should really
ask is, “Who do you want to be when you grow up?”
Both questions must be answered as we mature, but then again
the answers will differ. “I want to be a businessman,
to be like the senior officer in a bank or a multi-national
firm.” There are a lot of businessmen out there possessing
individuality within the confines of what is considered
appropriate for business industry or any other industry
for that matter.
Who do you want to be? How do see your image in the profession
you have chosen?
Your executive image is your total persona. Mastering
it is like packaging a gift. Like gifts, each of us will
be wrapped differently from the next person. Expressing
uniqueness in your packaging is crucially important for
today’s career people, young and old alike, as well
as up-and-coming CEOs. Why? Because such expression
communicates self-confidence, creativity, and leadership.
Each of us is an individual, possessing different personalities,
looks, physiques, and so on. In traditional businesses such
as banking, law, and accounting, the atmosphere is conservative.
The atmosphere is formal and protocol prevails; dos and
don’ts are black and white. Those who choose
to succeed in such professions, however, will find that
even they can project their individuality within the confines
of their formal environment. The key to success is inviting
uniqueness in you when you communicate your expertise in
your profession. The key to your credibility may be expressed
in the manner by which you project yourself as a speaker.
The atmosphere in your chosen profession may be informal,
and the rules of conduct may be looser, but protocol is
still just as important for the executive.
In the Age of Globalization where connecting to the outside
world can be done with a slight touch of a finger, communicating
with an American accent may be of great advantage. American
English is still dominating the world as the international
language, and will continue to be the mode of communication
exchange all over the globe for a long, long time. Being
able to speak and understand it is indeed an added feature
in one’s image and corporate agenda.
Here are twelve simple tips you can apply to acquire
an American accent in your day-to-day communicating stint
in the workplace:
- Speak English all the time (if not most of the time).
- Listen to people who speak the language well.
- Read English books, articles, essays, etc.
- Watch English films or television shows.
- Sing English songs.
- Enunciate words and phrases.
- Record yourself. Listen to yourself. Have someone listen
to yourself too.
- Bring a pocket dictionary with you ALL the time.
- Learn how to read the transcription symbols.
- Blend your words.
- Familiarize yourself with American idioms. Know their
meanings. Use them.
- Practice! Practice! Practice!
Remember, presenting a remarkable image is total packaging,
projecting something unique and appropriate for your chosen
profession, and continuing your goal for self- improvement.
On your self-analysis sheet, write down your profession
or line of work, the environment where you work, your position,
and what you think could be the most appropriate image for
you. Remember to include acquiring the American accent as
an added feather on your cap!
Speaking proper English can improve your career. Get higher paying jobs and get the career you've always wanted.
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