Кот
How Can Native English Speakers Reduce Their Nasal Accent?

In all the languages I'am learning I'am always told I have a nasal accent. This is very common for North Americans in particular.

Please share how you have reduced your nasal sounds in other languages as a North American.

I know its due to our tongues being close to the roof of our mouth when we talk. 

I think this is on of the hardest things to improve pronunciation/accent as a North American. 

2016年12月11日 20:15
评论 · 5
3
Here’s an idea, and you’re free to make any minor changes that you see fit. Note that it is only for serious, motivated language enthusiasts: Find (or write) a short passage with no nasals (N or M). Find a clothespin (or equivalent). Attach the clothespin to your nose and practice reading out loud, while you consciously avoid nasalization. If you slip up, it will be very obvious. I’m not joking.

2016年12月11日
2
What Phil said to do is actually similar to what my mum made me do as a kid. If I ever spoke through my nose, she made me hold my nose and speak until I sounded normal. It had nothing to do with foreign languages though - she just finds nasal voices really annoying!
2016年12月11日
1
I don't know how to help you but I wonder if you can mimic other English accents, for example, southern England, or Australian?  
2016年12月11日
I found a similar exercise in a vocal training textbook: count from one to five normally, then when you continue from six to ten, pinch your nose. If you have a nasal tone in your voice, it'll be very obvious. If you don't have a nasal tone, your voice won't change at all. Then try counting from one to ten with your nose still pinched. You might be able to drop your voice into your mouth to avoid the nasal resonance.
2016年12月12日
Ohh that nose pinching idea sounds great thanks guys.
2016年12月12日
Кот
语言技能
南非荷兰语, 中文(粤语), 英语, 德语, 俄语, 西班牙语, 科萨语, 祖鲁语
学习语言
南非荷兰语, 中文(粤语), 德语, 俄语, 西班牙语, 科萨语, 祖鲁语