How Long-term Role Play Changes an Actor's Accent
When actors immerse themselves in roles that require a different accent, it is not uncommon for them to experience changes in their speech patterns even after the character is long over. This phenomenon, often attributed to immersion and neuroplasticity, can lead to subtle or sometimes more pronounced alterations in how actors speak. While many actors retain their natural accents, there are instances where long-term role-playing can result in accent loss. Let's explore this intriguing aspect of an actor's craft.
Immersion: The Heart of Long-term Role Playing
Immersion is a term frequently used in the entertainment industry to describe the extent to which an actor becomes fully engrossed in their character. For actors who maintain a character's accent for an extended period, immersion can lead to a blending of their natural accent with the new accent. For example, Freddy Highmore, who plays “The Good Doctor,” still displays a British accent in interviews. Similarly, Hugh Laurie, famous for portraying the character “House,” still speaks with a British accent during off-program speeches.
When actors switch between accents regularly, their brains adapt to accommodate the different speech patterns. This dynamic can result in a more permanent alteration to their speaking habits. Even if the changes are subtle, they can become evident through consistent practice and immersion.
Neuroplasticity: The Brain's Ability to Adapt
The process of neuroplasticity allows the brain to change in response to new experiences. For actors, this means that speaking in a different accent for an extended period can shift their brain's default settings. The constant use of a new accent can lead to a more dominant adaptation over time. This is why actors like Ian McShane, who played John Wick with a British accent, still exhibit a hint of this accent in interviews.
It's important to note that neuroplasticity isn't a one-way street. The changes are often reversible, but the longer an actor uses a specific accent, the more ingrained these changes can become. As Colin Firth discovered, even after playing a character with a specific speech pattern, it can be challenging to fully revert to one's original accent.
Social Influence: The Power of Surroundings
In addition to immersion and neuroplasticity, societal influence plays a significant role in an actor's accent changes. Actors who spend substantial time around people with a different accent will subconsciously adopt elements of that accent. This can be particularly noticeable when actors work consistently in a new linguistic environment, such as an American actor working predominantly in the United States.
Certain actors, like Canadians who predominantly play American characters, may develop an American accent. While this change is influenced by the need to communicate effectively in the acting industry, it can also reflect a broader adaptation to the linguistic norms of their new environment. The frequency of exposure to American English and working primarily with Americans likely contributes to these changes more than the acting process itself.
Psychological Factors: The Influence of Character Identity
The psychological factors at play can also contribute to accent changes. Actors often identify so closely with their characters that they incorporate the character's speech patterns into their own voice. This process can become subconscious and influence how they speak even outside of their roles. For instance, when actors play characters with specific accents and intensely embody those roles, they can unintentionally integrate these accents into their everyday lives.
This psychological alignment with the character can be so strong that it can alter how the actor perceives and uses their voice. It is not uncommon for actors to jumble their own accent with the accent of their character, sometimes even in interviews. Even Colin Firth, after playing King George VI with a distinct speech pattern, struggled to completely return to his original accent.
Conclusion
The changes in an actor's accent after prolonged role-playing are multifaceted. While immersion and neuroplasticity play significant roles, social influence and psychological factors also contribute. Whether these changes are subtle or more pronounced, they are a testament to the remarkable adaptability of human speech and the power of the acting profession to shape our voices.
Understanding the intricate processes behind accent changes can provide valuable insights for actors and linguists alike. Whether an actor retains their natural accent or adopts a new one, the journey of evolving speech patterns is a fascinating aspect of the performing arts.