The strangest of things, when practicing my voice I pick up a southern accent

[zamber74]

My current male voice, is in a New England accent, in fact, people often ask if I am from Boston.  The thing is, whenever I switch into my female voice it becomes clearly more southern, it is really strange.  I've been living in Florida for probably 17 years now, and it just comes out naturally, I notice my voice shifts into the southern dialect the more I talk.  It sounds okay actually, just not my style I guess. 

Normally, I'm very reflective while talking.  I will take a few moments to think about what I will say next, resulting in a pause, but that does not work at all while trying my female voice, it simply shifts back into a more male like voice.

It is just sort of freaking me out!  I don't want a southern accent!! It is just more natural, and I can't seem to break it.  I'm wondering if it is because I have been down here for so long, has anyone had similar experiences?

I swear, I am going loony tunes over this. 

[KathyLauren]

You are probably so used to hearing it that it is what a "normal female voice" sounds like to you.  It's a pity it's not what you're aiming for.  But if it is what comes naturally, well, at least it is natural.

[flytrap]

My male alter has a husky Southern US baritone. I sound alot like Demi Moore or Sophia Bush. People often ask me if I am from Eastern Europe because of my accent. I spent alot of time with Grandmom growing up. She was the Mom my Mother never was to me. Grandmom was an eastern European immigrant. It's really touching that my brain preserved a small part of someone I loved so much inside of me.

[Tessa James]

When I was seeing the speech therapy guy he encouraged me to consider what the pros do.  He pointed out that the Tootsie and Mrs Doubtfire characters also had "accents" and for some of us learning a whole new persona helps to cement that language/voice piece easier??  He encouraged me to consider good old Marilyn Monroe and other actresses with their breathy styles.  I recognized a huge gap between Marilyn and i and reconsidered what I was doing.

Your manner of thinking before you speak seems likely to serve you well in more ways than transition.  I had challenges with affecting a female voice and eventually quit trying.  Part of that is because I don't always think before I open this big yapper   Still learning.

[JeanetteLW]

 Go for it. I'd love to be a "Southern Belle"  I just love the ultra feminine look of those historical ball gowns.