How To Recognize a New York Accent

Look at how the speaker treats vowels and consonants, their tone and delivery, and their use of words.It doesn't mean that New Yorkers are trying to be rude, they have a different dialect and delivery.Their communication style of asking a lot of questions is a way of showing interest.

Step 1: The addition of the "w" sound can be heard.

New Yorkers can add a "w" to vowels.This is done to words with a sound.Coffee is a word that would be pronounced "cawfee."

Step 2: The vowels are long.

New Yorkers make the pronunciation of vowels different by splitting them up.Brooklyn natives tend to chew on their vowels, so "talk" becomes "taw-uhk."

Step 3: Look for a lot of emphasis on the first few words.

New Yorkers stress the first syllable more than other dialects.For example, "pecan" is pronounced "peecan."

Step 4: Look for changes to the letter R.

People with New York accents can add or subtract the letter "r" at random.The word may be changed to "I saw it."

Step 5: The th sound has been replaced.

New Yorkers can change the sound of the "th" to a "t" sound.For instance, it's called a tree instead of three.

Step 6: Slang from New York.

Slang in New York is used for sandwiches.It is also used to replace phrases.A corner store may be called abodega or a sub sandwich a hero.

Step 7: New Yorkers refer to native landmarks.

New Yorkers use their own terms for these places.This is a way to know if someone is from New York or not.L-I-C is the name of Long Island City.The name of the Museum of Modern Art is pronounced like the "om" sound inSonoma.The Rockefeller Center has an observation area called the Top of the Rock.

Step 8: Take a look at the New York version of geographical areas.

There are official names for the streets in New York.New Yorkers have nicknames as well.Some parts of the city have nicknames.6th Avenue is referred to as the Avenue of the Americas.The bridge is referred to as The Willie B.Upstate refers to areas north of Westchester County.Downtown is south of Canal Street.

Step 9: A high-energy speech style is what you should look for.

New Yorkers may ask rapid-fire questions when they meet a new person.This may come across as pushy or intrusive to some people.A New Yorker may ask you what your name is.Where do you come from?Whaddya do something for a living?People from Brooklyn tend to have more of a laid-back delivery than people from the Bronx.

Step 10: Evaluate the tone.

New Yorkers have a tense tone.People from Queens might be considered more whiney.Manhattanites tend to use a professional tone.New Yorkers may use up-and-down inflections.

Step 11: The person may be quiet.

They may replace silence with conversation.New Yorkers may make comments to strangers.A New Yorker can complain about the subway schedule to anyone nearby.New Yorkers can talk or interrupt.