Accents

I think I could impersonate most accents - British, Chinese, Indian, Jamaican, Italian etc. I think most Canadians probably could.

Most people with accents would rather not have one. Having an accent doesn't confer any advantages in English Canada (unless it's British), and in many ways is an obstacle. The accented one is forever perceived as a foreigner by the mainstream, and a visible minority who speaks flawless "Canadian" would, in many ways, be perceived as more Canadian than than the white guy from Serbia who retains his Slavic accent. Thus, a Canadian accent would be useful to "adopt" as it would garner one greater accept into Canadian society -

So conversely, can those with a British/Chinese/Indian/Jamaican/Italian accent do a "Canadian accent"? If so, why don't people with accents just "fake" a Canadian accent? If not, why not?

I'm able to do the accents just from being exposed to people that are natives of those countries. If a guy with a Canadian accent like me can impersonate a Jamaican accent, I'm wondering why the Jamaican can't do a Canadian one. He has the advantage because he hears the Canadian accent everywhere.

So why is it that I have the ability to do this, but those with accents can't? Is it because I'm a "native" speaker"? Do I have this ability because I acquired English proficiency at childhood? I'm speculating as to whether you have to be a native speaker of a language to be able to master an accent of it.

Addendum: There's a great report on diversity in today's Star and yes, there is still covert discrimination towards people with accents.

Having an accent can be a special hindrance in housing and employment, notes Busha Taa, president of the Ethiopian Association of Greater Toronto.

"Sometimes you call (Canadians) for jobs or an apartment. They can hear your accent on the phone and turn you down right there. And when you apply for employment and write down your (address) in a shanty part of the town, you get rejected.

"There is definitely discrimination out there, but it's not something you can easily prove. It's just so subtle," says the University of Toronto researcher in sociology."