Can Adults Pick Up a New Accent After Age 12?

It's a common belief that picking up a new accent becomes significantly more difficult after childhood, particularly around the age of 12. While it's not entirely accurate to say that it's impossible to acquire a different accent after this age, research suggests that children are more adept at mimicking sounds and speech patterns due to the plasticity of their developing brains.

Adaptability of the Human Brain

As people age, their ability to perceive and produce the phonetic sounds of different languages and accents can diminish. However, this does not mean that adults are completely unable to adopt new accents. Many adults have successfully learned new accents through practice, immersion, and training. For instance, Case Study: Personal Experience, the writer shares their journey from having a distinctive Kent accent at age 9 to developing a neutral accent in their late teens, and even the ability to 'dial-up' a more formal accent if desired.

Research and Theories

The concept of a “Critical Period” has been central to discussions on accent adoption. This theory posits that if you move to a new place before the age of five or so, you will almost certainly adopt the new accent before puberty. After puberty, the likelihood of completely adopting the new accent diminishes. However, this theory has been challenged, leading to the more flexible concept of a sensitive period.

A sensitive period does not completely rule out acquiring a new accent; it simply makes it more difficult for adults. Research shows that many people who emigrate to another country with a shared first language can still pick up the local accent. For example, individuals in their 50s or 60s who emigrated to Australia in their 20s and now speak with the accent of their current area demonstrate that age is not a complete barrier to accent change.

Strategies for Adults Learning New Accents

To successfully pick up a new accent, adults can employ various strategies, including:

Vocal coaching: Working with a professional who can guide you through the nuances of the new accent. Immersive experiences: Living or spending significant time in areas where the new accent is spoken can significantly aid in accent acquisition. Linguistic training: Engaging in structured language classes focused on phonetics and pronunciation can help. Practice and repetition: Regular oral practice and repetition are key to improving your ability to produce new sounds and speech patterns. Listening and mimicry: Actively listening to native speakers and mimicking their speech patterns can enhance your ability to adopt a new accent.

Conclusion: While it may be more challenging for adults to pick up a new accent after a certain age, it is not impossible. With effort, the right environment, and appropriate strategies, adults can successfully learn to adopt different accents. This flexibility in language and accent acquisition underscores the importance of continued learning and adaptation in a globalized world.

Keywords: accent adoption, language learning, critical period