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A psychotherapist and a linguistics professor weighed in on the vocal trait and the signs that could mean you have it too.
Think you might have a "people pleaser" accent? If you find yourself frequently mimicking the accents of those around you, experts say you could be exhibiting a fascinating linguistic phenomenon rooted in both empathy and the desire for easier connection.
Sabina Trojanova, known online as @girlvsglobe, believes that she has this unique vocal trait, and took to Instagram on April 19 to draw attention to her ambiguous accent.
"Try and guess where I'm from based on my accent, you will never get it right, because I have what I like to call a 'people pleaser' accent," Trojanova told viewers. "What I mean by that is that I mimic other people's accents. Sometimes I worry it can come across offensive, but I never do it on purpose."
Trojanova, a content creator with over a decade of travel blogging under her belt, has sparked discussion about the topic online. She says that her accent, molded by living in five different countries and her inherent desire to "people please," has resonated widely with her followers.
"Our accents shift and evolve along with us," Trojanova told Newsweek. "But for some people, there seems to be a far greater tendency to emulate those around them.
"Whether this is primarily down to having a good ear for accents, being neurodivergent, or simply highly empathetic, I cannot say—it depends on each individual," she added.
To explore this occurrence further, Newsweek spoke with two experts about the "people pleaser" accent and how to identify it. Here's everything you need to know to determine if you are speaking with one too.
Kristie Tse, a New York-based psychotherapist, sees this accent as the outward projection of a deep-seated desire for connection and acceptance.
"When individuals adapt their speech patterns to mirror those of others, it often stems from an empathetic nature," Tse told Newsweek.
"They may instinctively seek to create rapport by aligning themselves with their conversational partners.
"However, this behavior can lead to a blurred sense of identity, as it may obscure their authentic voice and cultural background."
The psychotherapist's observations spotlight the importance of celebrating one's unique background to foster genuine connections, instead of unintentionally masking it.
Christopher Strelluf, an associate professor in applied linguistics at The University of Warwick, England, elaborated on the linguistic underpinnings of the phenomenon by introducing the idea of 'accommodation.'
"Accommodation is an umbrella term for the ways people change features of their language and communication, both consciously and unconsciously, as they interact with others," Strelluf told Newsweek. "People often linguistically 'converge' to become more alike in their communication—which matches the 'people pleaser' accent—but they can also 'diverge' to become more different too."
Kamala Harris recently made headlines after being accused of switching up her accent to appeal to different voters at campaign events held just hours apart. Among those accusing the vice president were several supporters of Donald Trump and conservative media commentator Greg Price.
The professor says that these processes are part of the rich toolset that language provides, allowing people to construct their personae and navigate different social environments both strategically and effectively.
Tse agrees, adding that understanding the roots and impacts of such linguistic adaptations can offer new paths towards authentic self-expression and as a by-product, deeper, more genuine social connections.
Trojanova's self-confession and the ensuing lively online discourse around the accent underscore the broader implications of how our communication styles can influence our personal identity and social dynamics.
Whether driven by empathy, strategy, or individual psychological frameworks, the "people pleaser" accent illuminates the intricate ways language shapes our interactions and relationships, and if Trojanova's post is anything to go by—it may be more common than previously understood.
"Typical from someone who is very bilingual in English but still not a native," one viewer, @travelingromy, commented. "I call it the sponge accent."
Another, @soham_bhattacharyya, added: "Pros: Mirroring helps to socialize with ease, Cons: You never know your actual accent."
"It is a term I came up with to describe what seems to be a fairly common experience, as evidenced by the warm reception of this video," Trojanova said.
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COVER IMAGE CREDIT: @GIRLVSGLOBE
READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/signs-you-have-people-pleaser-accent-according-experts-1950908
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