Here are some interesting quotes from some famous people discussing how their accents have affected their lives:
I learned to change my accent; in England, your accent identifies you very strongly with a class, and I did not want to be held back.
Sting
I guess when I first started speaking with an American accent, there’s a tendency to create a caricature of the accent because you just exaggerate the pieces that stand out to you.
Radha Mitchell
I am trying to make my accent so it won’t bother anyone, but I am not going to drive myself crazy trying to pretend I am an American girl when I am from Colombia.
Shakira
I think it’s sort of a rite of passage for a British actor to try and get the American accent and have a good crack at doing that.
Orlando Bloom
I used to say that whenever people heard my Southern accent, they always wanted to deduct 100 IQ points.
Jeff Foxworthy
I will buy any creme, cosmetic, or elixir from a woman with a European accent.
Erma Bombeck My accent depends on whom I’m around.
My accent remained terrible. It was very hard for me to initiate any conversation with someone I didn’t know.
Lawrence Welk
My own dreams fortunately came true in this great state. I became Mr. Universe; I became a successful businessman. And even though some people say I still speak with a slight accent, I have reached the top of the acting profession.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
No, no, no. Your accent is so beautiful.
Maya Rudolph
Only very rarely are foreigners or first-generation immigrants allowed to be nice people in American films. Those with an accent are bad guys.
Max von Sydow
You know what? I’m really attracted to British women, there’s something innately proper about them. However badly they behave their accent is so cute that it makes up for everything!
Josh Hartnett