Accent reduction, also known as
elocution,
accent modification or accent neutralization, is a systematic approach for learning or adopting a new accent. It is the process of learning the sound system (or
phonology) of a language or dialect. The method involves several steps, which include identifying deviations in the person's current speech from the desired accent (such as pronunciation, speech patterns, and speech habits), changing the way one uses the mouth, teeth, and tongue to form
vowel and
consonant sounds, modifying one's
intonation and stress patterns, and changing one's
rhythm. Using this method, individuals (such as those mastering a second language) may alter their speech to more closely resemble the accent of a certain group of people, and thus enhance the clarity of their communication with those people.