ASHA Voices: Different Lenses on Accent Modification

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Accent Modification

Improving Communication Skills in Health Care

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
Lynda Katz Wilner ◽  
Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Medical Interpreters ◽  
Accent Modification

Hospital reimbursements are linked to patient satisfaction surveys, which are directly related to interpersonal communication between provider and patient. In today’s health care environment, interactions are challenged by diversity — Limited English proficient (LEP) patients, medical interpreters, International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians, nurses, and support staff. Accent modification training for health care professionals can improve patient satisfaction and reduce adverse events. Surveys were conducted with medical interpreters and trainers of medical interpreting programs to determine the existence and support for communication skills training, particularly accent modification, for interpreters and non-native English speaking medical professionals. Results of preliminary surveys suggest the need for these comprehensive services. 60.8% believed a heavy accent, poor diction, or a different dialect contributed to medical errors or miscommunication by a moderate to significant degree. Communication programs should also include cultural competency training to optimize patient care outcomes. Examples of strategies for training are included.

Accent Modification for Speakers With Indian Accents: Speech Characteristics and an Assessment Framework

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amee P. Shah
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Asian Indian ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Speech Characteristics ◽  
Accent Modification ◽  
Key Questions

In this paper, I present accent-related variations unique to Asian-Indian speakers of English in the United States and identify specific speech and language features that contribute to an “Indian accent.” I present a model to answer some key questions related to assessment of Indian accents and help set a strong foundation for accent modification services.

scholarly journals A Viewpoint on Accent Services: Framing and Terminology Matter

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Vikas Grover ◽  
Aravind Namasivayam ◽  
Nidhi Mahendra
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Critical Attention ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Accent Modification ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Way

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to offer a contemporary viewpoint on accent services and contend that an equity-minded reframing of accent services in speech-language pathology is long overdue. Such reframing should address directly the use of nonpejorative terminology and the need for nurturing global linguistic diversity and practitioner diversity in speech-language pathology. The authors offer their perspective on affirmative and least-biased accent services, an in-depth scoping review of the literature on accent modification, and discuss using terms that communicate unconditional respect for speaker identity and an understanding of the impact of accent services on accented speakers. Conclusions: Given ongoing discussions about the urgent need to diversify the profession of speech-language pathology, critical attention is needed toward existing biases toward accented speakers and how such biases manifest in the way that accent services are provided as well as in how clinicians conceptualize their role in working with accented speakers. The authors conclude with discussing alternate terms and offer recommendations for accent services provided by speech-language pathologists.

An accent modification program

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-304
Author(s):  
Wyona M. Freysteinson ◽  
Joshua D. Adams ◽  
Sandra Cesario ◽  
Hanna A. Belay ◽  
Paula Clutter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Accent Modification

scholarly journals “Come join us, and lose your accent!”

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Ennser-Kananen ◽  
Mia Halonen ◽  
Taina Saarinen
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Ideologies ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Accent Modification ◽  
Accent Reduction

In this article, we examine the hierarchization of international students by bringing together perspectives of linguistic legitimacy and language ideologies. Our data stems from 26 accent reduction (AR) or accent modification (AM) course descriptions and websites from US universities. Based on their analysis, we discuss the socio-political implications of the phenomenon of these courses for international students and the ways in which language-based, particularly accent-based, arguments are used to create or reinforce different categories of students. We argue that while international students are presented as having different kinds of “comprehensibility problems” that AM/AR courses are claimed to remedy, the seemingly linguistic arguments that are used for marketing do not hold. Rather, what is presented as an accent issue actually seems to be an ideological one, drawing on the students’ ethnic or geographical origins, and thereby racializing the question of language proficiency.  

Accent Modification Resource

ASHA Leader ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2-38
Author(s):  
Vicki Hopgood
Keyword(s):  
Accent Modification
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