Study Reveals Tongue Twisters Predict Accent Imitation Ability

A new study by researchers at the University of Connecticut identifies the best predictors of accent imitation skill. Dialect coach Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer, professor Emily Myers, and colleague Hannah Olson tested 92 North American English speakers on imitating accents from Yorkshire, Edinburgh, and Eastern Cape South Africa. Participants also completed tests for musical ear, tongue twister speed, and personality traits. The strongest predictor was performance on a tongue twister task, indicating oral agility. Musical ability and openness to new experiences also correlated with success, while extraversion did not. The findings align with prior research linking musicality to language imitation. Scapetis-Tycer notes that drama training already cultivates these skills. The study was published in 2025.