A grandmother from London has shocked her family by speaking with a sudden Italian accent after recovering from a stroke earlier this year. Althia Bryden, 58, says the experience has left her feeling like “someone is impersonating me,” as her speech patterns mimic those of a native Italian.
The unusual change occurred after Bryden suffered a stroke in May, which initially left her unable to move one side of her body or speak. As her recovery progressed, her ability to communicate returned, but her family noticed her words carried an Italian intonation, including terms like “Mamma Mia” and “si.”
The rare condition that Bryden is experiencing has been identified as foreign accent syndrome, which medical professionals believe is a result of neurological changes following brain trauma.
Bryden described the emotional toll of the unexpected transformation, saying her body language and personality feel unfamiliar. “It’s very sad,” she explained. “People aren’t meeting the original me. I don’t know who I am.”
Her husband Winston and their son were astonished by the change, though her son admitted to stepping away to laugh at the surprising development. The family has since worked to support her as she navigates the adjustments to her new voice.
Bryden was readmitted to the hospital in July for surgery related to her stroke, which stemmed from a blockage in her carotid artery. Doctors continue to monitor her progress while exploring ways to address the syndrome’s effects.
