Selects: How Foreign Accent Syndrome Works

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a rare condition that results in an involuntary change of speech pattern, causing an individual to mimic an unfamiliar accent. The condition can be traced back to both neurogenic and psychogenic factors.

Foreign Accent Syndrome Alters Speech to Mimic an Unfamiliar Accent

Accent Change Can Be Involuntary, Due to Neurological or Psychological Factors

The symptoms of FAS, such as errors in prosody, are predictable like those seen in an actual accent. For instance, following a stroke, a patient may perceive their speech as normal; however, others might hear unintelligible sounds, underscoring the involuntary aspect of the condition. Notably, FAS can develop after neurological events, such as a stroke, and in rare cases, can even be reversed by a second stroke in another part of the brain.

Neurogenic Foreign Accent Syndrome, Linked To Central Nervous System Damage From Stroke or Head Injury, Accounts For 86% of Cases

Neurogenic FAS has been linked to central nervous system damage caused by a stroke, multiple sclerosis, a severe migraine attack, or head injury. An example highlighted is the case of Chuck Bryant’s grandfather, who developed FAS after suffering a stroke. These neurological conditions result in the majority of FAS cases. According to criteria laid out by Harry Whittaker, a patient with neurogenic FAS should not have the ability to speak a foreign language, and the syndrome is indicative of central nervous system damage.

Foreign Accent Syndrome Persists; Limited Treatment via Speech Therapy

Regrettably, there is no cure for neurogenic FAS. Speech therapy remains the only treatment option, focusing on retraining individuals to revert to their previous manner of speaking.

Psychogenic Foreign Accent Syndrome Can Stem From Schizophrenia, Bipolar, or Conversion Disorder

Psychogenic FAS, on the other hand, is commonly associated with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, conversion disorder, or perso ...

Various individuals have developed Foreign Accent Syndrome, a rare condition where people suddenly start to speak with what appears to be a foreign accent. These cases shed light on the syndrome's impact on identity and social interactions.

Woman Develops a British Accent After Jaw Surgery

Alomia's Unique Foreign Accent Boosted Her Social Confidence, Unlike Others' Identity Crises

Lisa Alamea from Texas experienced a surprising outcome after undergoing jaw surgery for an overbite. She awoke with a British accent, despite never having visited England. This phenomenon, known as foreign accent syndrome, led to a significant shift in Alamea's personality. Formerly shy, Alamea's new accent made her more outgoing, and she began using it as a conversation starter to engage with others.

Astrid, Norwegian WWII Victim, Shunned For German Accent After Brain Injury

Astrid's Case Was Among the First Documented Instances of Foreign Accent Syndrome; the Neurologist Coined "Dysprosity" to Describe It

In a historical account, Astrid, a victim of a brain injury during WWII, became one of the first documented cases of Foreign Accent Syndrome. Her resulting German accent led to significant social ostracism, as she could not speak German and yet sounded like a German. Jorg Erman Monrad Krohn, the neurologist who treated her, named her condition "dysprosity," referring to a disruption in the tone and rhythm of speech.

English Woman Sarah Colwell Develops Chinese Accent After Migraines, Impacting Sense of Self

Colwell's Case Reveals the Impact of Foreign Accent Syndrome on ...

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a rare condition that can profoundly impact individuals by altering their sense of identity, relationships, and ability to perform everyday tasks due to involuntary changes in speech patterns.

Foreign Accent Syndrome Alters Identity, as New Speech Patterns Feel Disconnected From Self

Individuals with FAS, like Sarah Colwell, experience a disconnection from their sense of self, which can precipitate an identity crisis. The podcast hosts discuss the distress experienced by people like Colwell, who can no longer look in the mirror while speaking, due to the disassociation they feel with their new speech patterns. Such changes in speech can make individuals feel uncomfortable and possibly unrecognizable when speaking.

Patients Feel Distressed, Uncomfortable, and Unrecognizable When Speaking

Sarah Colwell's account reveals that the change in speech patterns associated with FAS can be incredibly distressing. This discomfort is compounded when individuals, such as the woman in the video mentioned by Chuck Bryant, listen to old recordings of themselves and attempt to mimic their previous speech without success, leading to an unrecognizable accent.

Accent Change Can Lead To Social Isolation and Alienation From Friends, Family, and Strangers

People with FAS can feel alienated not only from themselves but also from others. As discussed in the podcast, an example of this is Astrid, who was shunned during WWII because her Norwegian community mistook her German-sounding accent for that of a spy. On a personal level, as Lisa Alamea's experience highlights, families may initially react with disbelief, thinking the new accent is a joke. Moreover, the skepticism from strangers and acquaintances, who might think the individual is faking the accent, exacerbates the social challenges and identity crisis.

Accusations Of Faking Accent May Worsen Identity Crisis and Social Issues

The impact of FAS ...