Accent Mod Miriam

There are many ways we can categorize languages in order to understand similarities and differences. One way we can consider languages is by identifying whether they are tonal versus non-tonal. Something to keep in mind about non-tonal languages, such as English, is that they still use intonation, pitch, and stress, but those things do not necessarily distinguish lexical or grammatical meaning—unlike tonal languages, where those factors CAN dramatically change the meaning of what is said. This is important to keep in mind when learning a language from the opposite category of our native language (for example, if you are a Spanish speaker learning Chinese, or a Thai speaker learning English), as these tonal differences can impact our fluency and accent!

Credit for image of microphone: Edgar on Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/

American English has some notorious idioms, and even to a native speaker, they can be confusing! Today's list features just a handful of idioms that are all related to animals in some way. Are there any you didn't already know? Some of these were even new to me! 😆 Do you know any animal-related idioms that I didn't include? Tell me in the comments!

🐜 ants in your pants: feeling impatient or can't sit still

🐕 barking up the wrong tree: to be pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action (regarding a person or situation)

🐄 beef up: to strengthen something

🦫 eager beaver: someone who is very eager or excited to do something

🐛 earworm: a song that you think about over and over

🐘 elephant in the room: something that everyone in the room is aware of that probably needs to be addressed, but is ignored because pretending it doesn't exist is more comfortable for those present

🦜 for the birds: something that is silly, ridiculous, or not worth consideration; unimportant

🦆 get your ducks in a row: to make proper plans or to get organized

🐐 gets my goat: something that really bothers or annoys someone

🐎 hold your horses: slow down; stop and think more about what you're doing

🙈 monkey business: silliness or goofing off; breaking the rules or ignoring duties

🐟 plenty of fish in the sea: there are plenty of other dating prospects out there

🦃 quit cold turkey: giving up something abruptly, rather than gradually weaning off it

🐔 running around like a chicken with your head cut off: confused, disorganized, frantic, or unsure of where to get started or what to do next

🐀 smell a rat: to get a sense that there is a problem with something; to feel suspicious

🐴 straight from the horse's mouth: information directly from the most knowledgeable source

🦓 zebras don't change their stripes: one will stay true to their nature; don't expect anyone to be anything other than who they really are

I love the literal and abstract meaning of this quote. 😊📚 I take joy in making sure everyone has the opportunity to be truly heard and understood in their way. We achieve stronger connections with each other through the ways we communicate, and our stories have the potential to carry anywhere in the world or even through generations of time. How cool is that?

So... what do we mean when we use the word "accent?" 🤔

Accent is how we define a set of sound substitutions, rhythms, stress patterns, intonations, and vocabulary that speakers habitually take from their native language and use in their non-native language. (We all have accents!)

Accent modification training is an option if a speaker decides that their current substitutions are posing some challenges in supporting their communication needs and goals. As an Accent Modification Specialist, my job is to help equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to ensure your spoken communication is as successful as possible.

Request a free 15-minute consultation with me to learn more, or visit my website for appointment times and frequently asked questions! 📲

So… what is accent modification?

Accent modification coaching is a method for helping ELL/ESL speakers increase the versatility and effectiveness of their communication. Accent modification sessions can equip you with tools such as: understanding General American English phonology, using intonation to convey different meanings, improving your vocal quality and resonance, practiced speech for specific scenarios (asking someone on a date, going to a job interview, what to say at a funeral or other socially challenging events, etc.), and more.

It’s just as important for me to tell you what accent modification is NOT. I firmly believe in culturally-sensitive, diversity-affirming practice, which means I am NOT here to completely erase your accent or perpetuate the idea that there is only one “correct” way to speak English. There’s beauty and significance in the way you communicate—from the language you understand to the cultures you call home, from the words you choose to the accent you pick up. With that in mind, I approach these sessions with the goal of helping clients feel empowered, heard, and understood.

If you would like to learn more about the sessions I offer, you can visit the FAQs page on my website or drop a comment below!

FAQs — Accent Mod Miriam Frequently Asked Questions Are the accent modification sessions you offer only for Spanish speakers who want to improve their English? I am bilingual in English and Spanish, but my accent modification sessions can help any speaker who wants to practice their General American English. Do I have to co...

Hello and welcome to my page! My name is Miriam Quigley. I’m an Accent Modification Specialist and a licensed bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist. Since this page is brand new, I wanted to introduce myself. ☺

I’m a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who grew up in Guatemala, where I spoke English at home and Spanish everywhere else. I have always loved connecting with people from different cultures and hearing their stories. My training with bilingual/multilingual language development has been central to my practice, and ever since the start of my career, I have been drawn to Accent Modification because I enjoy helping others achieve stronger connection through more effective communication. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to be heard and understood! This is why I'm excited to launch Accent Mod Miriam, my corner of the internet for offering Accent Modification sessions to anyone who has this need in their personal or professional lives.

I'll share more about what Accent Modification sessions are, some free resources, and other information soon. 👀 For now, thank you so much for stopping by, and click the Like button on the Accent Mod Miriam page to see upcoming content!