Native Language is not the same as Cradle Language

[Inziladun]

Personally I've long had an affinity for the German language. I like the syntax, and the way it sounds when spoken. So much so that I chose to study it for a couple of years in school.
I've never been to Germany, nor do I have any living relations who are native to the land, so I was never able to really explain it. I found out in the past few years that I do have ancestors about four generations ago who were born in Switzerland and Germany, so maybe there's something to what lmp is saying.

Along the lines of Nog's thoughts, I have noticed that myself. Over the years I've been told that I've (unconsciously) developed a "generic" American accent out of character for the region of my birth. In moments of high emotion though, I do hear the original accent re-emerge at times (again unconsciously).