Be natural in all your undertakings
If you want to speak, don’t fake an accent. Trust me, the fake one will fail you halfway through the sentence — and you’ll be left stranded like a car with no fuel! 😅
On my very first day at work in the United Kingdom, I had a revelation: “They struggle to understand me, and I struggle to understand them. Both parties must work on our ears and hearing skills!”
And so, I persevered. Within a month, I was flowing in big-time conversations with everyone. Then I started to wonder — were they pretending not to understand me all along? Hmm… only God knows!
To my surprise, student radiographers actually preferred my demonstrations and assessments. Imagine that — me, fresh from Africa, suddenly commanding respect and attention from juniors who loved the way I explained things. That gave me a huge sense of responsibility (and plenty of hidden pride, I must confess).
One thing that has carried me through 16 years of practice here in the UK is simple: I remain myself. I’m easy-going, but I also have principles. I love my culture, my food, my dressing — everything that makes me me. And above all, I am proud of my accent and heritage.
After all, the same accent I used in every job interview, presentation, and workplace conversation cannot be faulted. It got me the job, it helped me keep the job, and it made me unforgettable.
So here’s my conclusion: Be proud of your accent. It is your signature. And if anyone struggles to understand you — don’t worry. Their ears will adjust. 😉
“So the next time you hear my accent, don’t worry — it’s not broken, it’s just seasoned!”
- Amaka😅✨