One Unique Trait for Dialect

Begin working your ability to speak in different accents today by doing an observation exercise. Any trained actor will have done an observation exercise (whether observing a person for behavior or an animal for a movement vocabulary) over the course of their training.

This kind of work applies perfectly to voice. 

Play today with how one simple vocal change can change the way you think and feel.

Go out today and observe. Find one person to observe. And remember that you should never record someone without their permission. Observation is just that. Observe, notice, get curious. Discover how fascinating people are. Discover how endlessly interesting human behavior is.

Once you find someone in particular. Observe them in communication. When they are talking notice traits that are unique to them? For example, do they spread their lips wide and barely open their jaw? Do they have a really relaxed and hanging jaw. Do they purse their lips? Round them? Do they mostly speak through the nose.

Find this one trait. And also find one unique phrase that you notice them say. Remember this phrase and its intonation, resonance, and rhythm.

Then go somewhere you can play and rehearse and take this one trait. Begin to speak as you but you with this one unique vocal trait. How does it change you? Does it make you feel differently? Does it make you see differently?

Next play around with using this one trait and then saying the unique phrase. Work on a monologue or scene utilizing this one unique trait. Any time throughout your rehearsal, weave in the phrase. Interrupt the script's words to say the phrase and feel the difference.

When you are done, just notice. What did you learn from this experience? Any discoveries in your acting choices?

You just used play to build your proprioceptive ability for dialect work. You just used play to begin vocal character work. You just found a way to discover new choices and possibilities in your work.