How do I change my accent?

Question

I'm 15 and I was born and live in New Zealand, so unfortunately I have quite a bit of a 'kiwi' accent, which is about the most horrible accent you could have. It's a really unclassy, slang sounding accent and anyway I hate it and want to change it.

My mum is from London and has a British accent, so luckily I sound a tiny bit like her, but mainly my accent just sounds kiwi, which is not good.

I want to develop a London sounding accent, slightly upperclass (I'm thinking Sienna Miller like) so I don't sound like a total chav. I try to copy how my mum says things, but her accent isn't very strong anymore so she is not the best person to copy.

How can I develop a British (London like) accent? Any tips on how to do so?

Answer 1

why? i quite like the kiwi accent, it's quite s**y. be who you are.

Answer 2

My bro is a kiwi and has a kiwi accent

Would you like a Leeeeeeeeeeeeeemon?

Answer 3

As an American, with a boring old American accent, I think it's silly when Americans try to sound british, and so I'd have to think the same of a New Zealander trying to sound british...though really, I doubt most Americans could tell the difference.

Now everyone else trying to sound American is just fine of course only because of television the "standard American accent" is taken for "normal"

People from other parts of the US with thick regional accents, and people from other parts of the English speaking world, actually pay good money for this accent when they want to get into show biz.

Answer 4

Well first of all I love kiwi accents! They are the coolest thing ever.

Secondly, you can try watching Brittish films and practise mimmicking the way they sound.

A better way to do this would be to live in England for around 6 months so you could really adapt.

But I'm afraid if people find out you are putting on an accent they'll think your a bit of a fake.

ie. Friends episode where Ross speaks Brittish.

If you have seen this episode you'll know what I'm about.

Answer 5

you will think I am crazy when I tell you this, but it will work. You know the beatles? well, yes, they are from liverpool, england, but when they sing, they sound like they are from the southern part of the united states. sing all their songs, all the time with their cd's. try to sound like them. I have done this with many people, and all those that have actually done it, well, they ended up sounding like educated southerners from the u.s.

seriously, it works.

Answer 6

I love New Zealand accents. I'm from Australia and i like my accent too. British accents sucks so does American accents

Answer 7

the easy inexpensive way is to baby sit young brits and listen to them. You get the benefit of young voices also trying to copy the adults.In that way you can learn the beginnings of the education of children.This will help the basic pronunciation. Over state the vowels, and listen to the length a sound makes. If your native accent is more clipped, learn to make it longer. In america, we do this when northern people go to southern cities and states.We have many accents, so you would be identified as having the sounds of a certain part of the island of britain.I assumed you are in Britain. if this is not so, watch harry potter movies.

Answer 8

Take classes

Answer 9

Yeah Sheepy accents are rather vile...try watching "My fair lady" a few hundred times...

The rain, in Spain, falls mainly on the plains....

Answer 10

don't change your accent - it'll make you seem fake. Since you live in nz, chances are lots of other people around you talk the same way.

fyi - in america, and no doubt elsewhere, new zealand accents are very attractive!

Answer 11

Speak with an educated air in your voice. But to be honest, here in America we dig people with outlandish accents.