口音改善 ACCENT MODIFICATION
口音
每一種語言都有她的獨特性，無論是文法、語意或是發音。
每個人大約五、六歲便能發展出一套完整的語音系統，掌握自身母語的元音和輔音等語音系統的重要元素。
若我們開始學習另外一種語言，我們會很不自覺地將我們母語的元素套用到第二語言中幫助我們學習。然而，每一種語言的特點都不一樣，直接套用母語的元素到第二語言會使第二語言的發音出現偏差，形成所謂的「口音」。
口音問題的種類
口音問題大致分為音段(segmental)問題和超音段(supra-segmental)問題。
音段(segmental)問題
音段問題是指音節的發音問題，某些聲母或韻母只在第二語言中出現，而不在母語中出現，因此用母語中最接近的元素作為代替品是其中一個常見的音段問題。
例子一：以中文為母語的英語學習者常會用[f]代替/th/，將/thank you/ 說成[fank you]，因為英語的/th/在中文是不存在的，而/f/是最接近的。
例子二：以中文為母語的英語學習者常會用/i/代替/i:/和/ɪ/，分不清楚/sleep/和/slip/，因為英語的元音較中文多，學習者常常分不清這些元音。
例子三：以普通話為母語的廣東話學習者常常忽略廣東話合口的尾音，將/心/說成/身/，因為合口的尾音在普通話是不存在的。
超音段(supra-segmental)問題
超音段問題是指音節以外的問題，如語速、音調、重音、音長等。例如：以中文為母語的英語學習者，由於母語有數個聲調，而英語是沒有聲調的，常見的問題便是學習者不自覺地將英語的每一個音節套上一個聲調，像是將/I sing a song/說成[艾星ㄚ桑]。
言語治療與口音改善
評估
言語治療師會首先與想改善口音的人士面談，了解日常溝通的情況，然後作詳細的語音評估，找出口音問題的規律，最後制定口音改善計劃。
口音改善練習
由於口音問題並非言語障礙的一種，口音改善會以加強溝通能力為主要目標而不是為了達到特定的規範指標。言語治療師亦會根據欲改善口音的人士的狀況和期望，制定練習方案。
你的角色
大部分口音問題都能透過練習得到改善，然而，要達至事半功倍則需要每天持之以恆進行練習，才能達至更理想的治療成效。
以上資訊只作參考用途，每個個案情況不盡相同，詳情請諮詢你的言語治療師。
Accent
Every language has its unique syntax, semantics and phonetics.
At the age of around 5 to 6, we develop a full set of phonemic system and master the major components in the system like consonants and vowels in our mother-tongue (first language). When we start learning another language, we put the elements in our mother-tongue into this second language subconciously to help us learn. However, as different languages have different characteristics, directly applying the elements in our mother-tongue into our second language could lead to inaccuracies in pronunciation. This is what we meant by "accent".
Types of Problems with Accent
There are two major types of problems with accent: segmental problem and supra-segmental problem.
Segmental Problem
Segmental problem refers to the articulation problem with phonemes. Some phonemes present in the second language only but not in the mother tongue. Hence, using the most similar phoneme in our mother-tongue as a replacement phoneme occurs very frequently as a segmental problem.
Example: English learners might not be able to distinguish /i:/ and /ɪ/ hence producing /sleep/ and /slip/ identically.
Supra-segmental Problem
Supra-segmental problem refers to problem other than inaccuracies in producing phonemes, including speed, pitch, stress, duration etc.
Speech Therapy and Accent Modification
Assessment
Our speech therapist will interview the daily communication needs for people who would like to modify their accents and then carry out a thorough assessment to identify the pattern of accent and plan the corresponding modification program.
Accent Modification Program
As accent is not a speech disorder, our accent modification program will focus on improving the general communication ability instead of aiming to reach any particular norm. The program will be planed based on the assessment results and mutually agreed expectation.
Your Role
Most problems with accent can be improved through practice. Satisfying progress will require daily practice and persistence.
Above information is used as reference only. Different individuals should be handled differently. Please contact your speech therapist if you have any questions.