In S1 Ep. 4 of Fluent•ish the Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most loaded—and misunderstood—questions in language learning: “But how do I know which accent is the right accent?”

If you’ve ever worried about sounding “wrong,” felt self-conscious about your pronunciation, or wondered if you need to mimic a native speaker perfectly to be taken seriously—this episode is for you. We explore what it really means to have a “legitimate” accent, why accent shame is unnecessary (and harmful), and how your own voice deserves to show up in your new language.

We unpack the difference between striving for clarity versus chasing perfection, how accent fluidity works (even in sign languages!), and what it means to embrace your natural vocal fingerprint. Plus, we introduce a powerful mindset reset we call the “Accent Hat” that has helped students reframe how they hear—and use—their second language voice.

Whether you're learning Mandarin, French, English, or any language in between, this episode will help you stop cringing and start owning your accent.

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🎵 Theme music by Milkfangs
🎥 Full vlog versions also available on YouTube