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Ailyssa t1_j68908o wrote

You know I can't speak for this syndrome, but a colleague of my parents automatically sort of 'mimics' the accent of his clients (he's a businessman working in sales) so when he's speaking with Australian clients he sort of does this...super weird Australian accent (for example, we're not Australian) :D is that conscious or on purpose

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drekwithoutpolitics t1_j68jj32 wrote

It might be subconscious. People frequently mirror body language and speech patterns of people they like (or maybe want to be liked by).

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Ailyssa t1_j68mvmk wrote

That's interesting and also a little bit funny :) to everyone else the aussie accent sounds quite fake :D hehe! I'll look into mirroring

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drekwithoutpolitics t1_j68n07g wrote

He’s doing the best he can, mate! Lol

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Ailyssa t1_j68pq09 wrote

Oh I know, not trying to make fun of him :D it's just interesting :D an aussie accent is a special thing on its own! Beautiful in its own right.

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Inevitable-Teacher0 t1_j6bn6uc wrote

I don’t remember the medical term, but I once met someone who had a bizarre accent- a little like he was switching back and forth between British/American Midwest accent. He explained he had some sort of hearing/processing issue, and he actually has to vary his accent a little in order to consistently hear what he is saying.

My aunt does something similar in regards to mimicking accents- it’s totally subconscious, and it’s led to a few awkward situations (people thinking she’s making fun of their accent). She can usually control it if she’s concentrates, though.

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