Accents - Australian
1. Get the mentality behind the language. The most commonly mimicked
Aussie accent is of a rough, messy, casual and animated style. The accent
itself requires using your tongue, cheeks and lips to almost “chew” the
words as you say them. As you continue on with this article, practice
chewing the words until the example words sound Australian
2. Focus on the vowels. These are the most important part of having a realistic
Aussie accent. Words should always have the emphasis on the vowels (with few
exceptions). All other parts of the sentence should almost be glossed over as far as
learning the accent. In this case, the vowel will be listed, then the pronunciation
(with sample American words to emphasise the sound) and then an example of
how a word should sound in an Australian accent
A sounds like “or” or “ayee” (AUtomatic or stAY) For example, Aussie sounds like “Or-zie” and mate
sounds like “M-ayee-t”
E sounds like “e” without pronouncing the r (knEEling) For example, Need sounds like “Ner-ee-d”
I sounds like “ear” or “eye” (pIErce or mIght) For example, irresponsible sounds like “ear-re-spon-sbl”
and Hide sounds like “H-eye-d”
O sounds like “ew” or “aw” (shOO or OUght) For example, shoot sounds like “sh-ew-t”
U sounds like “uh” (rOUgh) For example, suppose sounds like “sugh-p-oh-s”
3. Learn the end words. Often the accent cuts words short. The emphasis
should never be on the end of the word unless it ends in a vowel.
Words ending in “ER” now end in “ah”. For example, “Together” sounds
like “tuh-geth-ah”
Words ending in a “G” are cut off. For example, “Catching” sounds like “Cat-chn”
Words ending in an "E" are also cut off. For example, "Mate" sounds like "M-ayee-t."
4. The Stress is in the vowels. Stressing the vowels rather than certain
words makes up a sentence. For example, “The Aussie language is
pretty weird” becomes “Th-a oz-zie l-aye-nguage is pr-i-tty we-ee-rd.”
5. The rhythm of speaking is different from the American accent in that sentences are said in one
fluid motion. Think of the sentences you are saying them in cursive. Meaning, that the words are
distinct but almost flowing into each other. The end of sentences are risen as if questions. For
example, “The Aussie language is pretty weird” becomes “Tha oz-zie l-aye-nguage is pr-i-tty we-ee-rd.”
6. Practice, practice, and then practice some more. Start by re-reading this entire article out-loud with
the accent. Aussie accents have personality, so add a playful and happy tone when speaking. It makes
the world of a difference.
Scottish
If you wish to pass for a Scot, you must learn to speak like one. Familiarize yourself with the slang of the Scots.
Always use the word "wee" when describing something small or young. "Aye," "bonny" and "lassie"
are also commonly used and makes your accent seem authentic.
Learn to roll your Rs. Roll your Rs only once. Do this especially after a D, a T or a G
One expression I like to use is "a little bubble at the front of your mouth," What this means is you must speak
from the front of your mouth
Make sure that you say words joining the syllables. If there are two short words together, pronounce them as
one. Don't speak too fast, though. Drop the G from words ending in G: "evenin", "evening'".
Replace not with nae. "Did not", "didnae". There are many other adjustments that can be made. An example:: "I
am going to the shops over there." would be (pronunciation): "Am goin tae the shoaps air there. "didnee do
anythin' in Ednbrah"
The vowels are key in a true Scottish accent. Is are always pronounced like in "fright". Pronounce Es like "eh" as
in "bed".
Eeh by Gum
A is predominantly pronounced as a short “a” as opposed to the southern longer “aa” or “ah” (e.g. bath, grass,
glass) and U and OO are pronounced “uh” (e.g. blood, cut, lunch). The pronunciation of consonants can also
sound different to other regions in England. Ds are occasionally pronounced as Ts (“Bratford”) and Bs can sound
like Ps (“Apsolutely”). As with many other regional accents in England it is also common to drop Hs from the
beginning of words (“’otel, ‘ospital”), for Gs to be silent at the end of words (“amazin’, eatin’”) and in some parts of
Yorkshire the “ed” is often dropped from a past participle.
It is also very common for people from Yorkshire to drop the definite article in a sentence and create a glottal stop
sound in its place: “We were in t’pub”. For outsiders to the Yorkshire accent this is often one of the most
recognisable characteristics of the Yorkshire dialect as is the use of the “were” instead of “was” when describing
an event in the past (e.g. “I were minding my own business,” “She were real bonnie” rather than “I was…” or “she
was…”.) Two more distinctly Yorkshire words “owt” and “nowt” are still commonly used, and are believed to have
their roots in Anglo-influenced Old English, and of course “Aye” can still be heard often, though perhaps less so
with younger generations. “Nay” is even used when a Yorkshire man or woman really wants to make his point!
Double negatives, though not exclusive to Yorkshire are regularly used by people of all ages (“I were never
scared of nobody”) and “while” is often used in place of “until” (“I work Monday while Friday, 9 while 5,”). The
Yorkshire dialect will also often use verbs in a different context to Standard English: “To borrow” is used as “to
lend” (“Can you borrow me a pen?”) and “to belong” can be used in place of “to come from” (“He belongs over
t’road”).
Liverpool
1. Start a conversation with "whats appenin, laah." (translation: Hello mate." Pronounce the
laa as laaaa and the a sound is like the a in "apple" not like the a in "argue") anyways forget the
sound ar.. for the word and you will be fine
2. Good Phrases: Want some chekien and a can o coce ( i want some chicken and a can of coke.)
3. Learn the specific pronunciations
The "th" sound as in "the" is usually not pronounced as the "th" sound normally is in the
English language, usually as a "d" (e.g. de=the mudder=mother)
The sentence "the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" would be pronounced something like "de
kwik brr-ah-n fox jumpd ova de layzee dog."
"They" is quite often pronounced as "thee" or "dee"
"The" can sometimes be pronounced at "thee" or "dee"
4. Know the special things that only scouse teens say
People don't say "um" they say "erm", which is very hard if you don't come from Liverpool. It is
somewhat like "aiirrrmmm".
Teenagers say "eeee" a lot when offended, this is either pronounced as a plain and simple eeee sound
but sometimes it is said somewhat like "urrrr" or "eeeeeeeeeeehh" (this pronounciation is very hard to
write down phonetically, but the pitch of the word starts quite low then drops very low and then goes
very high)
The words "like" and "pure" (pronounced pyar), "proper" (pronounced propehh) and "though" are
randomly inserted into sentences, e.g. "Eee she was propa snarlinnn me tho a was pyarrr fumin." or
"yerr e's fitt im tho."
The verb "to snarl" is when somebody gives a look of disgust and dislike, or looks you up and down etc.
"Do you know what I mean (though)" (pronounced "dya no warra mean. (tho)") is often added to the
end of a sentence, it is usually not meant literally, just a habit. The though at the end is optional.
"Fit" and "fine" are the words generally used to say that you find someone attractive. The word fit can
also be used to express a like for something. E.g. "That lad is pure fine" or "This lippy is pure fit"
Phrases:
"beer can" sounds like "bacon" in a Jamaican accent
“to die" sounds like "today" in an Australian accent
“khakis" and "car keys" and Boston accents
Irish
Soften your vowels. Many people, especially Americans, tend to harden their vowels. For example,
Americans pronounce the letter A, "ay"; those with an Irish accent would pronounce it "ah" or "aw." Be
very conscious of this in every word, but especially those vowels that come in the middle.
The standard, "How are you?" should be pronounced, "Ha-ware-ya?" The "au" (in "how") and "oo" (in
"you") of the Generalized American accent are not differentiated between.
The sound in "night," "like," and "I," is pronounced similar to "oi," as in "oil." Think of "Ireland" as
"Oireland."
While very similar to "oi," it's not the exact same. Turn the 'o' into more of a schwa. The diphthong does
not exist in American English and is similar to a compounded, "Uh, I..."
The schwa sound (the sound of a caveman grunt), as in "strut," varies from dialect to dialect. In the
Local accent, the vowel sounds more like "foot," and in the New Dublin accent (popular among youth),
it sounds more like "bit."[1]
The epsilon (as in "end") is pronounced like the vowel in "ash." "Any" becomes "Annie."
There are many different Irish dialects with numerous slight variations. Certain rules may not apply to
certain dialects
Harden your consonants. As a general rule, Americans have gotten lazy in their speech. "Ladder" and
"latter" are pronounced the same in the US, but not to an Irishman. Give each consonant its due (with
the exception of the next rule!)
As a beginning sound, /d/ often sounds like /d͡ʒ/ or the sound that a J makes in most variants of English.
That is, "due" will sound like "Jew." As its unvoiced partner, "t" becomes "ch." "Tube" sounds like
"choob."
There is a distinction between words like "wine" and "whine." Words with "wh" begin with an initial
"h" sound; try expelling a bit of breath before the word -- the result should be something akin to
"hwine."
Some Irish accents turn "think" and "that" into "tink" and "dat," respectively. Try "trowing" it into your
speech sporadically.
Drop your G's. English is full of words that end in -ing, but you wouldn't hear an Irishman admitting it,
at least not in a natural context. Whether you're muttering verbs or gerunds, cut it out "Morning"
becomes "mornin." "Walking" becomes "walkin," and so on and so forth. This stays true in all contexts.
In Local Dublin, a poorer dialect, final sounds are eliminated entirely: "sound" becomes "soun," for
example
Be very rhotic. For most American English speakers, this is not a problem. But if your dialect is non-rhotic (drops
word-final or inter-vocalic R; "park" sounds like "pack"), be conscious of pronouncing every "r" -- be it beginning,
middle, or end.
Speakers of both American and British English will need to put their 'r' more forward in their mouths than they
are used to. Experiment placing your tongue further forward and higher in your mouth while saying words with
an 'r' in the middle or end.
Speak quickly but clearly. An Irishman will not be caught saying, "coulda, woulda, shoulda." Each
sound (unless dropped via a phonemic process) should be given attention. Your tongue and lips will be
getting a workout. If you do have pauses, use "em" to fill them. Stay away from "uh" or "um"; "em"
should be your filler. If you can throw this in naturally and without thinking, your Irishness will be
upped ten-fold. It's used all the time -- so when you're thinking of how to pronounce something, you
know how to fill the silence
Repeat the verb in yes/no questions. Often yes/no questions are straightforward and to the point -- as a
result, we answer "yes" or "no." Seems pretty logical, right? Nope. That's not how it works in the land of
Saints and Scholars. When asked, repeat the noun and verb.
For example, "Are you going to Jane's party tonight?" --"I am."
"Does Ireland have unicorns?" --"It doesn't."
Use the 'after' construction. The after perfect (AFP), which is one of the most characteristic features of
Irish English, has given rise to a certain amount of debate and a great deal of confusion. It is used to
denote recency in two situations. In between the two verbs of the past continuous (again, denotes a
recent action): 'Why did you go to the shop?' -- "I was after running-out of potatoes." (Do not confuse it
with the English use of "seeking" or "searching for". You are not "after buying potatoes" - otherwise
you wouldn't be going to the shop).
In between the two verbs of the present continuous (used as an exclamation): "I'm after performing on
the West End!"
Utilize idioms and colloquialisms. The Irish accent is full of words and phrases unfamiliar to other
dialects of English. No one else may know what you're talking about, but sacrifices must be made to be
authentic. Soon you'll be cod acting like a bucklepper!
Cheers: Not only is this used while clinking glasses, it's used in normal conversation, and consistently. It
can be used to thank people and to say hello and goodbye. Work it in often; the Irish certainly do.
Lad: This term describes any male, though usually it's reserved for ones you're closer to. "Lads" can
refer to a group of males and females, for the record.
C'mere: Literally, this is the same in any other dialect -- "come here." But in Irish English, it's an opener
that means, "listen" or even just "hey," to grab your attention. To begin any innocuous sentence, start it
with "C'mere."
Right: This sort of serves as an alternative to "c'mere." It's multi-purpose and mainly serves to clarify.
As in, "Right, we're meeting at 7 o'clock by the watch tower then?"[2]
Most British colloquialisms are also acceptable. Avoid "Top of the mornin' to ya!" and "Blarney!"
unless you want to be that guy
Think lyrically. The Irish accent is generally thought of as more 'musical' than American English. It has
a definite lilt to it that isn't seen in other variations of the Lingua Franca. Practice phrases a bit more
'sing-songy' than you would in your native dialect. A good place to start is slightly higher than your
natural tone. Get a little lower in the middle of the phrase, and then move back up slightly.