Why do individuals typically speak a second language in the accent of their first?

Broadly stated, your accent is the way you sound when you speak. For example, if a person has trouble pronouncing some of the sounds of a second language they’re learning, they may substitute similar sounds that occur in their first language. This sounds wrong, or ‘foreign’, to native speakers of the language.

Why do some people have a heavy accent in English?

The reason why some people have a heavy accent in English is because they are still using the rules from their first language. You see, in your native language, X = Y. But in American English, X = Z! You must keep in mind that you can not always carry the rules of pronunciation from your first language to English.

Is there such a thing as a general American accent?

If someone is speaking with a General American accent, they supposedly sound distinctly American, but it’s impossible to place exactly where they’re from. There are attempts to define General American’s sound, but because it is only defined in relationship with other accents, it is a slippery concept. It simply does not exist in nature.

Is your accent what gets in the way of being understood?

Speaking well and being understood are the prerequisites for business and personal success in any language — and here, that language is “American.” The difficulty arises, though, when people think that their accent is what gets in the way of being understood.

How can I learn to speak with a neutral American accent?

Learning to speak with a standard neutral American accent is not easy but you can do it if you work hard on your pronunciation and practice a lot. Here are some useful tips that everyone born outside the USA should follow to sound more like a native speaker. This tip may sound a bit strange but if you try it, you will see the difference.