Accent - The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people. This is the definition which I found out while making a search for the same in my computer dictionary. We all have an accent. I mean we all speak in some or the other language which is characterized by an Accent. Like being in India, it is quite obvious for me to have an Indian Accent. What I know, Accent gets developed with time and is largely influenced by the community you belong to and the location you originate from. Accent isn’t the same everywhere. For example, people in India have an accent which is quite different from the same in US or any other country.

Now, let us talk more on this accent. What accent you speak? Have you ever been in a situation where you have let down yourself because of the same? Well, I don’t know why but yes, I think these are some questions that trouble most of us today especially whom I have been meeting in recent times. A case happened very recently to two of my close friends. Being quite junior to me they have been facing this issue from long. Both of them are job seekers and guess what - They want to work in call centers or I should say, International BPO. They have been trying like anything but they are yet to foray into this industry. A major issue they are faced with - The Accent Problem.

The Accent problem can be a strange problem. People especially who want to work in call centres or BPO industry are faced with this major issue. Even I too have faced the same. The initial rounds comprising written interviews are quite easy to pass through but when it comes to Accent test, most of us fail. Talking about myself, I have been through more than 50 interviews till date and most of them for International BPOs. I was applying for the same in mid 2007 but not now. I have appeared for some of the top BPOs like Convergys, Wipro, Exl, Emphasis, etc....but could never clear any of those interviews just because of my uncanny accent. I was told that when I speak, I ate up words. Some letters don’t come up clear. I was not fluent with my communication. Most importantly, I didn’t have an American accent...the much needed solution for all my problems.

To be very honest, I am still clueless about the same. A question comes to my mind - Why can’t people in the US understand our accent? What’s so big deal with it? Fine, we speak UK English but then should it be a problem for anyone? English being the universally accepted language and with Indians having stronghold on the same, what difference does Accent make? Is it just about impressing people by being more Americanized? Does Indian Accent sound so bad? Why some people get so furious with this Indian Accent? That has been a common observation from my side till date. Do you too see the same? What say ????