noun a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country, area, or social class
verb to emphasize or give prominence to something
adjective having a particular kind of accent
In linguistics, accent refers to the way in which a particular language is pronounced by speakers of different regions or social groups.
In language learning, accent is often a focus for learners who want to improve their pronunciation to sound more like native speakers.
In acting, accent is used to portray characters from different regions or countries with authenticity.
In dialectology, accent is studied as part of the variation in pronunciation within a language.
In sociolinguistics, accent can be an indicator of social identity or group membership.
Writers may use accents in dialogue to help differentiate characters or to add authenticity to a character's speech patterns. They may also use accents in descriptive writing to set the scene and create a sense of place.
Psychologists may study how accents impact communication and perception. They may also work with clients who are struggling with language barriers due to accents or who are experiencing discrimination based on their accent.
Actors may use accents to portray characters from different regions or countries. They may work with dialect coaches to perfect their accents for a role.
Language teachers may focus on teaching students how to understand and mimic different accents in the target language. They may also help students reduce their own accents when speaking a foreign language.