If I have trouble pronouncing?

Question

I am wanting to relearn spanish after 10 years. I know how words and letters are supposed to be pronounced but I feel silly and rude when I try to manufacture the right accent. I also feel rude when I just spit it out in my english accent. Which is the least offensive? I can speak at a usual pace when I don't apply an accent but I sound like the worst kind of redneck, and when I try to sound right I have to speak so slowly with a fake accent that I wonder if they think I'm insulting their intelligence.

Arika Straata · Accepted Answer

As someone who is studying a foreign language in a foreign country, all I can advise is practice, practice, practice. 

Speaking with a "correct' accent will make your speech more easily understood. I'm not the fastest, or even the most correct, speaker, but it's easy for people to understand me because my accent is very good. 

Don't worry about insulting people by speaking slowly, especially since you're working to improve. With time, you'll get faster. 

For the record, neither is offensive - most of the time, people will be happy you're making an effort to speak to them in their native language!

annely · Answer

When it comes to learning another language, accent is one of the last things to worry about. As long as you can get your message across and speak clearly enough for the other person to understand you, accent is just one of those things that you slowly pick up as you go along. With that said, it's best to try (as much as you can) to imitate the pronunciation of native speakers because in some cases, that makes it easier for them to understand you. I doubt anyone will be offended because I'm sure they will already be able to tell from your accent that Spanish isn't your native tongue. Besides, practice is the only way of ever improving that accent.

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If I have trouble pronouncing?

2 Answers