Australian crash victim develops French accent

Leanne Rowe, a born and bred Tasmanian, used to speak like most other Australians.

But eight years ago a bus crash forever changed her life - leaving her with a French accent.

The rare condition is known as Foreign Accent Syndrome - and Rowe says that it has made her feel anxious, depressed and reclusive.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) FOREIGN ACCENT SYNDROME SUFFERER, LEANNE ROWE SAYING:

"I prefer night time because its very peaceful. Not many people about."

University of Sydney psychologist, Dr Karen Croot, says the syndrome is caused by tissue damage to area of the brain responsible for speech.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) PSYCHOLOGIST, DR KAREN CROOT SAYING:

"It's just an accident, an accident of chance that happens to that person. That what happens to their speech, happens to overlap with the features of a known accent."

Dr Robert Newton has been the Rowe family doctor for decades and was shocked by her condition.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) LEANNE ROW