A British woman has reportedly begun speaking with an Italian accent after recovering from a stroke. Althia Bryden, a 58-year-old resident of Highbury, North London, experienced this rare condition known as Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) following a stroke that left her unable to speak for several months.
The incident occurred when Mrs. Bryden was found unresponsive by her husband, Winston, one evening. The stroke was attributed to a carotid web, a structural anomaly in the neck that can disrupt blood flow to the brain. Mr. Bryden described the moment he discovered his wife “staring and unable to talk” as “terrifying,” prompting him to call for emergency medical assistance immediately. After spending nine days in the hospital, Mrs. Bryden underwent surgery on July 30 to remove the carotid web. It was only after this procedure that she regained her ability to speak, albeit with an unexpected twist. "Completely out of the blue," she recounted, "I just started speaking with an Italian accent."
Despite never having visited Italy or learned the language, Mrs. Bryden now finds herself able to speak Italian words spontaneously. She expressed her astonishment, saying, "To my amazement, I’m also able to speak Italian... a language I’ve never learnt or spoke ever before." Doctors and nurses at the hospital were equally baffled by her condition, which they described as a "medical marvel."
None had previously encountered a case of FAS, highlighting the rarity of the syndrome. Mrs. Bryden shared her ongoing struggle with the condition, stating, "I wake up most mornings hoping that my old voice will be back again. I don’t feel like me with this foreign accent."
Foreign Accent Syndrome is an uncommon disorder that can result from brain damage due to stroke, traumatic injury, or other neurological conditions. It causes individuals to speak with a perceived foreign accent, even though they have not acquired it through traditional means.
As Mrs. Bryden continues to adapt to her new way of speaking, she often finds herself explaining her unique situation to those she meets. "When I meet people, they ask me where I’m from, and I find myself retelling the story of how I’ve come to acquire this accent over and over again," she explained.
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