Your Accent Is Your Identity. Podcast Episode 29
Your Accent Is Your Identity: Why You Should Own It, Not Erase It
Your Accent Is Your Identity — Why You Should Embrace It at Work
In Episode 29 of The Non-Native Leader Podcast, I spoke with Karuna Dwivedi, an English language specialist, doctoral candidate, and international teacher who moved from India to the U.S. to help multilingual students find their voice.
We discussed not only grammar and English learning techniques, but also the emotional weight of speaking in a second language—and the silent pressures many non-native professionals feel every day.
When “Correct” Still Gets Misunderstood
Karuna shared a moment that captures a universal truth:
“I didn’t speak wrong — I just spoke differently. But that pause, that second-guessing... it makes you shrink.”
For many professionals, this leads to the same questions:
“Is it my accent?”
“Would they have understood me if I sounded like them?”
“Why do I have to repeat myself if my English is correct?”
Even when your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation are accurate, perceptions in the workplace can create unnecessary doubt.
The Invisible Barrier: Belonging
This isn’t just about speaking English fluently.
It’s about feeling like you belong in the conversation.
You prepare for meetings with correct English.
You deliver your ideas clearly.
But a puzzled look or a request to “say that again” can make you question your worth.
That’s the invisible tax of working in a monolingual or monocultural space as a multilingual professional.
Your Accent Is Not a Mistake — It’s Your Flag
Your accent is living proof that:
You’ve mastered a skill millions never do.
You can think, work, and solve problems in more than one language.
You bring cultural insight and global perspective to your team.
Erasing your accent is like erasing a part of your story.
Owning Your Voice in the Workplace
If you’ve ever wondered how to speak English confidently with your accent, try this:
Focus on clarity, not imitation
Improve pronunciation for understanding—not to “sound native.”Prepare high-value phrases
For meetings, presentations, and negotiations, have go-to sentences that roll off your tongue.Address bias with confidence
If someone struggles to understand, rephrase without apologizing:
“Let me say that another way.”Celebrate your uniqueness
Your voice sets you apart in a world of sameness. Use it.
💬 Have you ever felt overlooked because of your accent?
Share your experience—we need to keep this conversation alive.
