transnavigation t1_j67ytlw wrote on January 28, 2023 at 11:02 AM

Reply to comment by mercedes_ in TIL about foreign accent syndrome. This is a very rare (~100 cases worldwide) but real medical condition where people abruptly begin speaking in a foreign accent following head trauma like a bad migraine, accident, or stroke. by veety

Yes, it's actually a sign of pro-social behavior (or the need to people-please, or put others at ease, especially strangers you have just met or people you want to impress.)

Which can backfire when you do it automatically and people think you're having a laugh.

I genuinely cannot help it, if I try to concentrate on not mimicking someone's accent, I can't focus on what they're saying and it jumbles up my words, too.

Original_Sail t1_j68gdg1 wrote on January 28, 2023 at 2:16 PM

I have this issue. I had to fight it really hard when i worked tech support on the phone because customers don't want to think you're mocking them and are quick to assume it