Accent, again

-   Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:10 am GMT
Hello,

I had submitted my accent sample on this board some time ago and it made me realize the accent was in need for improvement.

So I have recorded a new sample and I would like you to rate it. Is my pronounciation correct? Am I understandable? Would I pass as someone who has been in the USA for a long time?

http://www.livemocha.com/english/speaking/exercises/7337871
me   Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:13 am GMT
Very nice, but too nasal.
hm...   Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:33 pm GMT
it's not too nasal, but your intonation is weird. It's uprising.
Tony   Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:15 pm GMT
The first vowel in statue should not be a diphthong.
-   Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:06 pm GMT
Thank you for your feedback.

So, apart from the wrong intonation and incorrect pronounciation of the word statue, is the overall impression all right?
Jasper   Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:59 pm GMT
Accented, but very easy to understand. If you're trying to sound 100% native, it must be remembered that it may not be possible for everyone.
-   Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:03 pm GMT
Nah, I'm not training to sound like someone who has spent all his life in the Midwest. I'm just trying to improve my accent so I don't sound funny when talking to Americans, as I plan to study and work in the USA in the future.

I'm happy to hear that there's still room for improvements though.
Brentwood   Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:28 am GMT
It has a strange accent, my first thought was that it was computer generated!