A British grandmother and her family were baffled after a stroke left her speaking with an Italian accent and using Italian words, despite her never visiting the country.
Althia Bryden, 58, from Highbury, London, could not speak for three months after suffering a stroke in May 2024.
When the function suddenly returned, Bryden was shocked to find herself speaking with an Italian accent, using phrases like “mamma mia,” “bambino,” and “si,” GB News reported. She was later diagnosed with aphasia.
“I feel like someone is impersonating me,” she told GB News. “I have no idea I’m about to do it—my brain just converts the English word into Italian.”
In addition to her Italian accent, Bryden has found that even her laugh and body language have changed. Although she is grateful for surviving the stroke, she hopes to wake up one day feeling like her old self.
“I’m still looking for the person I was before. Where do I go to find the button to switch this stuff off?” Bryden added.
Originally published by Latin Times
A British grandmother and her family were baffled after a stroke left her speaking with an Italian accent and using Italian words, despite her never visiting the country.
Althia Bryden, 58, from Highbury, London, could not speak for three months after suffering a stroke in May 2024.
When the function suddenly returned, Bryden was shocked to find herself speaking with an Italian accent, using phrases like “mamma mia,” “bambino,” and “si,” GB News reported. She was later diagnosed with aphasia.
“I feel like someone is impersonating me,” she told GB News. “I have no idea I’m about to do it—my brain just converts the English word into Italian.”
In addition to her Italian accent, Bryden has found that even her laugh and body language have changed. Although she is grateful for surviving the stroke, she hopes to wake up one day feeling like her old self.
“I’m still looking for the person I was before. Where do I go to find the button to switch this stuff off?” Bryden added.
Originally published by Latin Times
