Fla. Woman Has Stroke, Gets British Accent
Roberts Diagnosed With Extremely Rare 'Foreign-Accent Syndrome'
POSTED: 5:33 p.m. EST November 19, 2003
UPDATED: 6:39 a.m. EST November 20, 2003
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A University of Central Florida speech expert has diagnosed an extremely rare disorder in a Sarasota, Fla., woman that caused her to speak with a British accent after she suffered a stroke.
The case of foreign-accent syndrome is one of fewer than 20 reported worldwide since 1919, according to Jack Ryalls, professor of communicative disorders at UCF.
Judi Roberts was doing a crossword puzzle four years ago when her right hand went numb. She suffered a stroke, which left her paralyzed on her right side and unable to talk. But when her speech finally returned, her deep northern accent was gone.
Roberts now speaks with a higher-pitched British accent.
Ryalls has conducted a series of tests on Roberts and says the syndrome is the only explanation.
Roberts say she has been accused of faking the accent. She became a recluse and even contemplated moving to England until she read about the disorder last spring and contacted experts.
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Copyright 2003 by Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2003 by Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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