In an astonishing case that continues to puzzle medical professionals, a 47-year-old woman from western France has been speaking with a strong English accent ever since undergoing routine tonsil removal surgery, despite barely knowing the language.
Laetitia, a cashier from Montval-sur-Loir, developed the accent 14 years ago when she woke up from her procedure. Though her surgeon initially assured her everything was fine, her voice, which now carried a distinct Anglo-Saxon tone, never returned to its original French cadence.
“At first, I wasn’t too worried,” Laetitia told Le Petit Courrier. “My kids had the same surgery and sounded nasal for a while, but it went away. Mine didn’t.”
Weeks turned into months, and by the time she returned to her doctor, even he was baffled. “He asked if I was Anglo-Saxon,” Laetitia recalled. “He couldn’t believe I wasn’t a native English speaker.”
After multiple medical consultations — including visits to ENT specialists — Laetitia was eventually diagnosed with Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS), a rare neurological condition typically triggered by head trauma, stroke, or surgery. In her case, records suggest reduced blood flow to a region of the brain during surgery might have caused the dramatic vocal shift.
Despite the mystery, Laetitia has come to terms with her new voice. Although some family members still believe she’s joking or faking the accent, she insists it’s real — and it’s now become a part of her identity.
“I still want my old voice back,” she admits, “but after all these years, I’ve learned to live with it.”
