Ok I guess, whoever doesn't have a foreign accent (or doesn't speak any other languages and never even tried) don't really understand why people have accents.

Here is in a nutshell.

The reason people have accents in their 2nd or 3rd language, is because they learned the language after a certain age.

For example...if you are about 13-14 years old or younger, and learning a 2nd language, it is more likely that you will not have an accent.

Basically you will never know, that the person wasn't born or lived his/her first 13 years here in the US by just trying to pick out an accent, because there isn't.

The only way he or she might still got an accent is that by not learning/listening to English spoken in the family or school etc..basically being too isolated.

There are cases, when 17-18 years old kids still won't have an accent while learning a 2nd language, but it's not common.

Most people after a certain age, will have a permanent accent that will not go away ever. It might soften but since just how our brain works and how we communicate, there will be some words or phrases that will give away the person.

On the other hand, I also noticed, that some people love to pick on those who got an accent, make them look inferior for not being able to fluidly pronounce certain words or have grammar problems.

What you might have to consider, that accent's aren't caused by disability or mental disorder, but because the person most likely speaks another or more languages beside English.
And if you do pick on people who do have an accent, it would be you who have a serious mental disorder, a lack of IQ and intelligence.

Thanks.

Accents are not only native language related but also regional.
Ie people from certain states have readily discernible accents.
Also people who want to maintain a relationship with their native language or area will keep an accent longer than people who want to adapt to a new culture.

I wish I had a Texas accent

Find yourself a girl from Texas and practice, practice, practice.

all my ex's live in Texas...

I had a friend from Russia when I was in school who said my accent when I speak Russian is perfect. ~shows off~

I used to be able to talk spanish without an accent, of course all I know is how to cuss people out

Well..you supposed to carry on a conversation and understand everything to say that you speak Spanish.

All I can say is... only in America. Although it actually DOES take 'intelligence' to be fluent in several languages... Here in America that's just not the way you do it. Even though the educational system is among the worst in the World (which is a big part of the problem), most people suffer from nationalism. "You're suppose to only speak English here," as I'm sure some would put it.

I blame modern American Society for this contradictory dilemma... but, the World is BIG place, with many people from different places...


Get over it!

Oh, if I could just find that one who could sing to me in Italian....

When I speak German, I have a Brooklyn accent

There is nothing wrong with "you supposed to speak English", that's not what I meant, I was aiming for the fact, that at one point, even those parents' or grandparents or great great great grandparents who came to settle had some sort of an accent, if not Italian or French, then Welsh and Scottish.

Accents r hot, :~)

I got a extry one I'll sell ya', cheap!

Here. Brush up on your Spanish.
http://chromlea.trap17.com/spanish/insults.html

I can do that....as long as it's all cuss words

I'll take that accent but you can keep the spanish lessons, not a whole lot of hispanics in this part of Texas..

Love Accents!.....a bit bummed that I'll never hear a <subtle> "American Accent".

Sure...aware of the regional stuff from my own country (that always get's exaggerated). From the "y'alls" to the "budda bings" it get's exaggerated.

Theers newat a wurse annnnnoooiance then en ovurly dremetic Austrayylien accehnt jest for the seke of edveeeertewizing theez deyz!!!

( Lee..please pop in if you see this)

I'm English, and have lived in Germany for 28 years.
Many Germans say that I speak, although never having lived there, with a Dutch accent. They also ask me if I actually AM Dutch.
I feel that accents are regional also.

these arent just things that are produced over time some people are genuinely talented on taking on accents without any knowledge of the language or having heard them before i used to be able to speak fluent german and have conversations with my teacher but while it was quite obvious she was speaking a language foriegn to her i was told that i could have spoken to any german and they wouldnt be able to tell i wasnt german without being told i can also do an excellent irish accent even tho ive never been there or learnt the original language although its in my heritage sometimes there just isnt an explanation for them most people think its cool to have an accent now where i was living people non stop spoke in the most ridiculous russian accent i even convinced one girl my friend had over that i was russian with mine sometimes people can just have the right vocals to take on these foriegn accents

accents are SEXY!!!! IMO