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While it has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it seems at times to go too far with accents. I have read several articles which suggest that it is natural for people to reflect or moderate their pronunciation to that of those around them (see this article), but there are times when it seems too "over the top" to be mere mirroring or even flattery.
What is an appropriate response when someone seems to be mocking me by mimicking my accent?
Should you be? It seems pretty obvious that, if you can avoid anger or offense, it's better for everyone. Typically, though, we don't get a choice about whether to be offended.
Now, if you get offended, you can borrow this move. I would love to say that I did this, but unfortunately, I was the one who had badly mimicked an accent here.
The other fellow smiled, shook his head, and said, "Don't do that. I promise, you sound nothing like a ____." He followed it with a little wink.
In all honesty, I truly had deluded myself into thinking that my accent was pretty good, so I was a bit disappointed. Nevertheless, I did not try the accent again. It was only years later that I found out that he had been a bit offended. His totally gracious response (a) spared my feelings and blocked me from embarrassment at that moment, and (b) prevented any bad feelings going forward. My friend and I eventually drifted apart, but I am fairly sure that the Atlantic Ocean between us was the reason for that, not my faux pas and his immensely graceful recovery.
I get a lot of this. I have different ways of dealing with it - depends who's talking:
Colleagues - ha, ha, we can speak English instead if you like.
Strangers - yupp, been here 30 years and still can't talk properly. Then they say, but you speak really well!
Mates - vot are you sinking about?
Teenage children of mates - I have to warn you, I have this nasty nervous tic, if people are mean about my accent I sometimes kick them in the ear, can't help myself, do be careful
