Frequently Asked Questions.

How long does it take to acquire a new accent?

With clinical methodology and daily practice, baseline acquisition (muscle memory for static vowels) takes 4-6 weeks. Prosodic integration (pitch contour, rhythm) takes 3-6 months.

Can I lose my native accent?

Accent acquisition is additive, not subtractive. You are learning a new motor skill, akin to learning a new instrument. Your native accent remains intact unless you consciously choose to suppress it.

Why do you focus so much on Hz and formants?

Because subjective coaching ("sound more relaxed") fails. If you know that your /ɑ/ vowel is hitting F2 at 1400Hz, and the GenAm target is 1100Hz, you have a concrete, physical adjustment to make (move the tongue back).