Why do I still have an accent in my native language?

[samsungxoxo]

I've been living in my country (Peru) since 2007. Till this day, sometimes people still asked if I've ever lived elsewhere, where you from or if I've ever been to the US.

 

They always give me these comment:

''Oh your Spanish is so different''

''It sounds a bit in English''

''You have a slight accent, are you from here''

 

Even though I've been raised in the US (ages 4-20), wouldn't my accent be neutral by now? Even if I don't slip any English words at all, they still notice it.

[LuckyM]

However, some people have a language knack and no one notices and most others let slip vocal hints that do not fit in the mainstream. Some keep a very strong accent their entire lives from another nation, such as Italy, China. I hear this frequently.

 

You would have to see a language teacher and practice sounds with her in order to discover the inflections of voice. Is it worth it to you? Is it that important? If not, then use a language site on internet to practice certain speech patterns and change them.

[basil67]

I had a friend who spoke like an Australian native despite spending her early childhood in China. She told me that she did a lot of work on her accent, and without that work, she'd still have a noticable accent of her first language.

[RecentChange]

Linguistics are complex.

 

I am in California - I know a 70 year old woman who has lived in California since she was 20, but born and raised in Boston (known for their distinctive accent).

 

Despite living here for 50 years, she STILL has a strong Boston accent.

 

Meanwhile I am born and raised California Bay Area. mother is 4th generation San Franciscan. My dad is originally from the east coast, but has lived here 40+ years.

 

A few times a year I get asked about my “accent” - some guess UK, or another European country.

 

Nope, born and raised here, and spent less than a year living abroad as a kid.

 

I don’t know what it is that people hear that make them think I have an accent that is anything but Californian.