Anthony Galli
Student, Volunteer, and Photographer in Atlanta, GA
My family loves going on trips. Traveling is huge for us, although, most of the time when we leave the country it is to go to India. Nevertheless, we always do connection flights and land in the most beautiful airports. I never cared that I was not allowed to leave the airport because, to me, the airport is the world. People of all different accents are there and I love talking to them!
To me, meeting people was a game. I would listen intently to how they would talk just so I could see if I could mimic their speech patterns. I became so obsessed with accents that there would then be days where I would wake up and pretend that I was from a different country. Sometimes it would be a type of American accent, like have you heard how cool New Yorkers sound! The funny thing is it became like my thing to do accents. My parents used to make me “perform” at family events, I mean a Southern accent stands out when everyone has an Indian one. However, I could never do them justice in party settings. Usually, I have to listen to the accent before I mimic it, otherwise it just sounds awkward.
I do not do it as much anymore. Though, accents have taught me alot. For example, when I get into a quarrel with someone, the absolute best way to diffuse the tension is to randomly break out in a British accent. However, the most impact accents have had on me is its attachment to my memory. This is because now when I want to remember something important, I have to say it in an accent differing from my own. It is kind of like having real-life italics and I love it!
Sources:
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdO57fvZ5wY
(Song is not mine!)