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| Should spokespersons shed accents?; Do they detract from credibility? | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 11 2009, 02:02 PM (1,443 Views) | |
| kellyM | Jun 11 2009, 02:02 PM Post #1 |
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I was at a round table discussion this week and a former television reporter - now PR professional - was commenting on how southern drawls, accents and colloquial mannerisms should be avoided by spokespersons since it detracts from that person's credibility. I can agree that spokespersons should use proper English (or whatever other language they're speaking in), but I'm not sure the average spokesperson can shed a drawl or accent without some degree of difficulty. If you're a television news anchor, perhaps it makes sense to have that no-accent kind of delivery, but what about the plant manager in Texas who just happens to be from France? What about the CEO who grew up in Tennessee and is being interviewed by network news? I'd be interested in seeing what others think about spokespersons with accents. How important is it for spokespersons to sound like network news anchors? Personally, I think you are who you are and that includes the accent you carry into the interview. |
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| Steve Wilson | Jun 15 2009, 04:07 PM Post #2 |
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We get questions regarding accents a lot during our media training workshops. A lot of times, a PR person or some other executive is concerned that the CEO or plant manager might not be credible due to a strong southern accent or more times than not, a French, Spanish or other foreign accent. As long as the spokesperson can be understood, I don't think an accent is all that important these days. As long as the spokesperson knows what they are talking about and can speak on terms that can easily be understood, the accent doesn't bother me. We had a U.S. President for the past eight years who spoke with a Texas drawl. Former President Bill Clinton had a southern accent, as did Former President Jimmy Carter. Even former CBS News Anchor Dan Rather had a western accent. The last time I looked back at any of these people, it wasn't their accents that got them into hot water. More important than their accent is their ability to communicate clearly and appear believable. The bottom line, I wouldn't necessarily eliminate someone as a possible spokesperson simply based on their accent. |
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| headliner | Aug 4 2009, 04:44 PM Post #3 |
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I think that North American audiences are far less used to hearing accents on TV. For instance,CNN subtitles British accents for its viewers. In Europe and Asia, audiences are exposed to foreign accents all the time. I do most of my training in the Middle East (in English), and therefore get asked by my clients about their accent all the time. I tell them to speak slowly so that they can be understood, and make sure they run their key messages by a native English speaker before their appearence so that they avoid any cultural taboos. |
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| Steve Wilson | Aug 7 2009, 08:49 PM Post #4 |
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Sounds like good advice. |
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10:43 PM Feb 4