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Hi,
My name is Sergei. I came here to the US when I was 16 and now I'm in university thinking of career paths. My gpa is decent ,good enough for all the professional schools.
I was thinking of maybe becoming a lawyer but I have a thick Russian accent. I'm understood by all but the first question they usually ask is "Are you Russian?" My writing is pretty good. I'm kinda like the writer Joseph Conrad who had excellent English writing skills but a heavy Polish accent.
Do you think I could become a semi successful lawyer here in the States? Will I be treated seriously by people? Or should I just forget about it and choose some other career? Do you think accent elimination classes would rid me of the accent I have?
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Serge,
The American people are suspicious of people who talk with foreign accents; you can't avoid that. However I think a foreign accent would still have little if any impact on your ability to practice law in the United States as long as you are qualified and licensed.
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I think people in general are uncomfortable around people who are perceived as strangers - this includes people who speak with an accent as they are often seen as having one up on strangers - they are perceived as not only strangers, but strangers from another country.
To answer your question: no. I know a few lawyers who have foreign accents. Heavy accents though are never good as it impedes understanding. The heaviness I'd say would more likely be your downfall, just because no one wants a lawyer they cannot understand. You need not eliminate your accent, just make sure other people can understand you.
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>The American people are suspicious of people who talk with foreign accents; you can't avoid that. However I think a foreign accent would still have little if any impact on your ability to practice law in the United States as long as you are qualified and licensed. <
Wouldn't other people from other countries think this way too?
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<< Can I be a lawyer in the States even if I have an accent? >>
Well, let me think...ofcourse you can!. You just have to be prepared to confront a lot of rejection and prejudice. If you're willing to go through a lot of frustrations (as a second class lawyer) then; by all means - try.
If indeed you are as good your self portrayal, I see no reason why you can't make a great lawyer in Russia, you should be happy to work in country you're certain of attaining respect, accolade and appreciation. If you insist on the US, then, you should be told the truth (in blunt terms) - they (Americans) don't want you in their court rooms; but will never admit that. They are never comfortable with people with heavy accents, eventually you'll be forced to learn to speak the way they do, if you hope to succeed as a lawyer.
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Serge,
Don't listen to people like Stan. Many foreigners study in American law schools. Ask any student at a top law school.
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Wow Stan! Irrational hatred for the US? What enlightened country are you from? It's too bad I know successful lawyers with foreign accents. I guess they must be anomalies.
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This whole criticism of Americans disliking foreign accents is a bit puzzling to me. I don't think it's any more than in any other country. I hear a variety of accents each day at my place of work and no one bats an eye. In fact, you'll find quite a variety of foreign accents in the U.S....more than in many European workplaces, which tend to be more homogenous.
My advice to you would be to ask students and officials at the law schools.
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May I ask, Sergei, why you have such a strong accent? I mean, would it be difficult to tone it down a bit and sound a bit more native? I'm not trying to be mean, there are many foreigners in every occupation in the US, but realistically you will be more successful if you work on your accent. Good luck!
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>May I ask, Sergei, why you have such a strong accent? I mean, would it be difficult to tone it down a bit and sound a bit more native? I'm not trying to be mean, there are many foreigners in every occupation in the US, but realistically you will be more successful if you work on your accent. Good luck! <
The situation of Tom, the administrator of this website, shows that anything is possible. I guess I'm just gonna have to attempt to minimize the accent I have.
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I've worked with plenty of people with foreign accents in the US and nobody hated them. I think you need to pipe the fuck down, Stan; you're getting awfully tiresome lately.
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What the hell is an accent got to do with the sucess of a court trial?
I rather have a lawyer with an accent who knows how to get what I (the client) want from the courts than some native lawyer who lacks the brains to successfully defend or sue.
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>The American people are suspicious of people who talk with foreign accents; you can't avoid that. However I think a foreign accent would still have little if any impact on your ability to practice law in the United States as long as you are qualified and licensed<
Bull5hit !
In N.Y. Miami, L.A. 45% of lawyer have foreign accents, also very rich and successful.
As a Multilingual lawyer your success is even more promising...
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Tip ! “immigration lawyer” a huge opportunity for a bilingual lawyer.
Russian “visitors” future Americans, thru your “immigration law services”. The mother Russia and its citizens, can make you rich in the USA.
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