How To It is possible to develop a Southern accent.
There are many reasons that one might want to develop a Southern accent.You might have an acting role for a character that is from the Southern United States.Caution and sensitivity are needed so as not to offend or belittle those with a genuine Southern accent.Whether you want to impress your friends or have a production of a play, you can master the Southern accent with hard work and experience.
Step 1: Speak slowly.
People from the South are known for their slow drawl.They use a drawn out way of saying their words.Matching the slow pace of southern speech is part of sounding really Southern.
Step 2: Put your vowels together.
Some vowels are mixed together in a Southern accent.The words "pen" and "pin" should sound the same."Get" comes out "git" and "just" as "jis", almost dropping the t.
Step 3: Speak with a baby.
Sometimes vowels sound like two syllables in a Southern lilt.For example, "bill" turns into "bee-hill" and "short" becomes "showat."
Step 4: Drop your g's.
As if there is no "g" at the end.Most Southern accents have this.You don't have to use words like "thing" or "dog", but words with an "ing" should lose their "g"s."Fixin'" is a word used by people with Southern accents when they are trying to do something."I'm fixin' to go fish this afternoon!"
Step 5: First, perfect a few phrases.
You can say a few phrases that are perfect.They may be phrases you learned from a book, a movie, or a friend or family member from the South.Work on these phrases before tackling the entire accent."Jist a second" is also common.
Step 6: Don't be rude.
Many people have genuine Southern accents.A person with a Southern accent can't switch it off.If you make fun of the speech pattern by imitating a Southern accent, you might offend people who speak with Southern accents.The Southern accent is associated with certain stereotypes.The stereotype of Southerners as ignorant, uncultured, and poor is most notable.Do you think imitating a Southern accent is discrimination?
Step 7: Use words that are easy to say.
There are different ways of speaking and culture.Try to learn from the south.Sometimes "Bless her/his little heart" means that someone is incompetent or that they did something sweet or thoughtful.The person is independent if he chews his own tobacco.The person is persuasive and convincing if he could talk a cat out of a tree.
Step 8: Don't use the word to be.
Don't use the words "is," "are," and "am" as much.You would say "You ready" instead of "Are you ready?"
Step 9: Don't use the word "done" anymore.
A few different meanings can be found in southern speech.It can be a substitute for "already," as in, "I let the dog out this morning."
Step 10: You should include the words "might could" and "y'all" in your speech.
There are some unique structures to Southern speech.When appropriate, use them!If you want to imply that someone could and should do something, use the word "might could"."Y'all should come here and look at this dawg!" was almost said as one word.
Step 11: Many Southerners are polite.
"Sir" and "Ma'am" are often used with a child to parent, people in authority, or people you don't know well."Thankee much," "Pardon me," and "Excuse me" are also used."Yessir," " Yessah," and "Yep'm" are often combined into one word.
Step 12: You should research the specific accent you want to use.
There are different accents in different parts of the South.Modern day New Orleans has the same phrases and accents as Georgia did in the 1800s.The slow Southern Drawl is more common in rural areas than in metropolitan areas.They are grouped by region.The South is divided into two major regions, one of which has a different way of saying "bigguh dog" than the other.Short vowels like "dog" can be turned into long diphthongs.The "oo" sound is exaggerated in words like "loose."In words like "coat" pay more attention to the "o".
Step 13: Characters with southern accents are featured in TV shows and movies.
Get used to the way the accent sounds.In the series House of Cards, Frank Underwood has a slight Southern accent, but many of the characters have stronger Southern accents.Modern day Mountain regional accents can be found in the TV show "Justified".You can get a feel for different types of Southern accents by watching a variety of movies and shows.
Step 14: Look for someone who has a Southern accent.
Ask someone with a Southern accent to sit down and talk with you.If you don't know someone with a Southern accent, ask around until you find someone who knows what you want to do.Try to say the words the same way the other person says them.To coach you on how to say certain words, ask them to correct you.
Step 15: There is a book about speaking with a Southern accent.
The Complete Guide to Speaking Southern was written by Steve Mitchell.There is a book for actors on perfect accents.If you read about how to acquire and maintain a Southern accent, you will be able to speak with one.