Question
Is it a sign of weak character that I often (unconsciously) slip in to an accent that mimics the particular person I'm speaking to?
Answer
Yes, if you are doing it because you want to be accepted.
No, if you are doing it to be comprehended.
I modified my Indian accent just enough so I could avoid being misunderstood. This meant mainly slowing down and fixing common pronunciation mistakes/variations. I am not great with accents, but even if I could, I wouldn't bother.
Making NO modifications at all is as much a sign of weak character as 100% mimicry. That means you are a little too self-conscious about the social identity you grew up with and won't change even when it is obvious you should do so.
An example is the word Michigan, which many Indians pronounce Mitch-igan. Even when they hear an American say it right (Mish-igan), they won't switch. It's easy enough to politely say, "oh is that how you pronounce it? Mish-igan? but that's apparently too much of a social bruise for some.
My accent is now Americanized enough that when I visit India, I sometimes get made fun of. I don't bother to switch back to a pure Indian accent, though I could, because there are no comprehension problems.
You should also note that strict imitation has different implications depending on whether your "home" accent is considered more authentic or not. An American doing a perfect Indian-English accent (which is NOT the same as an Apu-parody accent) is making fun of Indians. An Indian doing a perfect American accent is just blending in perfectly. That's because the American English accent is considered more authentic, since it is the native language here.
No, if you are doing it to be comprehended.
I modified my Indian accent just enough so I could avoid being misunderstood. This meant mainly slowing down and fixing common pronunciation mistakes/variations. I am not great with accents, but even if I could, I wouldn't bother.
Making NO modifications at all is as much a sign of weak character as 100% mimicry. That means you are a little too self-conscious about the social identity you grew up with and won't change even when it is obvious you should do so.
An example is the word Michigan, which many Indians pronounce Mitch-igan. Even when they hear an American say it right (Mish-igan), they won't switch. It's easy enough to politely say, "oh is that how you pronounce it? Mish-igan? but that's apparently too much of a social bruise for some.
My accent is now Americanized enough that when I visit India, I sometimes get made fun of. I don't bother to switch back to a pure Indian accent, though I could, because there are no comprehension problems.
You should also note that strict imitation has different implications depending on whether your "home" accent is considered more authentic or not. An American doing a perfect Indian-English accent (which is NOT the same as an Apu-parody accent) is making fun of Indians. An Indian doing a perfect American accent is just blending in perfectly. That's because the American English accent is considered more authentic, since it is the native language here.