Mimicry of speech patterns?

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I noticed I very quickly adopt other people's speech patterns. Is this just me being weird or is this typical of Asperger's? It's actually rather odd when I travel. I don't know how well I mimic, but when in the South, I start talking like the locals almost immediately. I actually have to consciously restrain myself. I suppose it's mostly cadence and inflection, since idioms and vocabulary can be decidedly different.

I once read an article on how people adopt the speech patterns of those around them to a greater degree than is generally believed. If you live somewhere other than the place you were raised, you pick up bits of the local dialect and accent fairly quickly, and if you spend a lot of time around a certain person, you pick up some of their "vocal mannerisms," if you will. I can't seem to find the article right now, but I'll keep looking.

I think it is common for Aspies to do this to a greater degree than most people. It's certainly true for myself and the one other Aspie I know, though not to the extent that you mention.

I think it's good for aspies to do that. Intonation is a vital part of communication. If people can memorize these things by ear, they'll be able to read a person's tone more easily, making socialization less stressful.

From my experience, I would say it's pretty common. It's good though, if an Aspie can adopts someone else's way of speaking, then they are on their way to finding social situations less demanding, as they know what to say!
I have adopted the speech pattern of my best friend, but it's getting to the point where everyone is starting to notice that I do everything she does, and speak in the same way. But at least I know what to say now in a conversation (sometimes)

Mimicry is quite common in people with Asperger's syndrome, and sometimes you need to take care that other people do not misinterpret the mimicry as making fun of someone. This is especially true with accents, distinctive phrasing and speech impediments, where people may be sensitive because they have fun made of them frequently.

Actually, this is part of why I asked. I don't intentionally do it and I'm thinking that some may see it as mocking.

Strange birds, these Aspies

I go through mimicry phases. It's completely subconscious.

I didn't realize that mimicry was an AS trait, but I remember that what I loved about learning foreign languages in school was the sound, and I worked on getting that just right, often to the detriment of grammar and vocabulary.

In my teenage years I lived in the UK, and I was surprised that after three months I was no longer immediately identified as American, though my accent was puzzling.

When I returned to the US, I remember feeling physically sickened by the harsh pronunciation of the letter "r". I didn't think I'd ever get used to it again.

My mom's dad lives in Minnisota. Once she visited him, and when she came back people thought she was from there. I don't think I do it. My dads family has an accent I never picked up.

Mimicry of speech and vocalizations is also called echolalia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echolalia and is a recognized behaviour.

I've always thought echolalia was more literal than what I am describing. I don't copy people's words or repeat back things that have been said to me. But I do easily slip into their mannerisms.

I have learned through the reactions of others; that it is better to not mimic others voices, even though it comes very naturally to me. I now consciously restrain myself from doing it, and I find better social interaction because of this. Few things bother others as much as having someone speak exactly like they do in their presence.