US Woman still Speaking in a European Accent, 18 Months after Dental Procedure
An American woman is still speaking in a European accent 18 months after undergoing dental surgery.
Karen Butler, a tax consultant from Toledo in Oregon, developed a foreign accent after undergoing a dental procedure. Her accent has been described by other people as British, Swedish and Eastern European.
Mrs Butler had all her top and bottom teeth removed as a result of severe gingivitis in November 2009. She had dentures fitted and started to develop the accent after the procedure. One week later, all her pain and swelling had disappeared but she was still talking in a foreign accent. Mrs Butler went to see her dentist and was told that it would take time for her to get used to her new teeth.
After researching online, Mrs Butler diagnosed herself with a rare condition known as Foreign Accent Syndrome, which is usually associated with brain injuries and is very uncommon. Dr Helmi Lutsep, a professor and vice chair of the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University, said that the condition is very rare and most neurologists will only come across one or two cases during their career. Dr Lutsep said that neurologists do not known why or how the syndrome occurs.
Karen Butler said that she is sure that did not suffer a stroke or any form of brain injury but she wants to have a scan but cannot afford the cost. For now, she says that she is happy with accent because she cannot hear it when she speaks.
Join this Discussion
