One of the main challenges for Hebrew learners as a second language is speaking Hebrew with a foreign accent. Can it be changed, and how can it be controlled? Keep this blog post handy—we promise you won't be disappointed.
Immigrants from North America dread the word ברור ("clearly"), while French speakers struggle to pronounce צריכה ("need"). And let's not even mention Russian speakers who can't distinguish between שלכם ("yours") and שלהם ("theirs") because, for them, ח or ה sound identical. These are just some of the difficulties faced by newcomers who have arrived in Israel and are learning to speak a language that is worlds apart from their mother tongue. The question we often hear is whether it's possible to change one's accent. The answer is complex.
Let’s start with the bad news:
Research from Harvard and other institutions supports the Critical Period Hypothesis, which suggests that there is a window during childhood when the brain is more plastic and better able to acquire new phonetic patterns. After this period, typically around puberty, it becomes much harder to achieve native-like pronunciation in a new language. Studies have shown that adults who begin learning a language after this critical period rarely achieve a native-like accent, despite proficiency in other aspects of the language.
At Princeton University, studies have examined the cognitive load involved in language learning. When learners focus on understanding and producing new grammatical structures or vocabulary, they have fewer cognitive resources available to concentrate on pronunciation, often resulting in a stronger accent. This research suggests that even advanced learners may retain an accent due to the high cognitive demands of managing multiple aspects of a new language simultaneously.
These studies collectively highlight that while it is possible to reduce an accent through dedicated practice and immersion, completely eliminating it is very challenging for adult learners. The difficulty stems from a combination of biological, cognitive, and perceptual factors.
And now, for the good news:
New Olim to Israel have always been blessed with an accent—it’s like a spice that adds flavor. There is indeed an opportunity to work on and try to improve your accent, especially through repetition of words and attempts to emphasize certain consonants.
Princeton University researchers have explored using visual feedback as a technique to help learners modify their accents. Tools like spectrograms or ultrasound imaging of the tongue can provide learners with real-time visual information about how their speech differs from that of native speakers. By seeing the difference, learners can make more precise adjustments to their articulation. This technique is especially helpful for difficult-to-perceive sounds, where auditory feedback alone might not be sufficient.
Research from UPenn has emphasized the importance of prosody—the rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns of speech—in accent reduction. Techniques that focus on improving the natural flow of speech, such as practicing the melody of sentences or using speech rhythm exercises, can help learners sound more native-like. Penn’s studies suggest that prosody training, combined with phonetic exercises, can lead to more comprehensive accent reduction, as prosody is often what makes an accent sound “foreign.”
These studies from Ivy League universities highlight several effective techniques for accent modification, including phonetic training, motor learning exercises, high variability phonetic training, visual feedback, and prosody training. While it may not be possible for all learners to completely eliminate an accent, these techniques can lead to significant improvements in pronunciation and overall speech clarity.
All our courses at UAB are based on the immersive method—teaching Hebrew in Hebrew. We've noticed that as students persist, a foreign accent often softens and becomes less pronounced. We invite you to give it a try.
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