Impersonations

[flashpig]

How would I go about learning to speak like someone else? Is it something you are born with the ability to do, or is there a knack?

Specifically I would love (and this is where is is linked with film and tv) Peter Lorre. And Ian Paisley, but I didn't think this question was fitting to News.

[Englishbird]

I can mimic and i guess it's a knack i've always had as no-one has ever taught me.  I'm not a voice coach but i tend to look at the vowels in any accent - for example -the 'rev' Ian Paisley has a very strong accent. i sounds more like a or aye, but when you say it your tounge curls at the back of your throat.  I think mimicing is more about listening than talking.  Just like trying to find a note on a piano, listen to the person you want to mimic and keep trying to match it.

Also, some impersonations are easier if you take on the characteristics. I do (if i do say so myself) quite a good bridget jones, but i have to pull the face while i'm doing it.

[littleoldme]

Just a question of practice, I think. I'm no expert, but I always feel the best impersonators are those who can pick up on mannerisms as well as more obvious things like accents, but NOT exaggerate them. For example, when impersonating someone with an Irish accent, it's very easy to make them sound like a demented leprechaun - all bejasus, begorrah and top o' the marnin'. Way over the top. Wrong part of Ireland for Ian Paisley anyway. For him you need a Northern Irish accent and the ability to bellow - think James Nesbitt meets Brian Blessed.

Peter Lorre would be tricky to get accurate because of his hybrid accent - born in an area of Hungary that is now part of Slovakia, brought up in Austria, and with an added hint of American inflection (only a hint, mind). Just practice saying "Yeeessss, master" a lot in a vulnerable-yet-sinister way :-)

[flashpig]

With Ian Paisley, I don't know how this happens, I always end up sounding like Apu from the Simpsons, but angry.

[littleoldme]

LOL flashpig - I thought it was Welsh accents that were meant to turn into Indian ones, not Irish :-)

[flashpig]

They all seem to with me.

[dippy_dumbo]

My Welsh sounds Jamaican....