Fake a Deep Southern Accent
Have you ever wanted to try out your skills at picking up accents? Well here's your chance! Follow the steps below and create a convincing Southern accent.
Contents
Steps
- For starters, use the word "y'all". A lot. It is very common for mostly Southern people to say "y'all". While saying "y'all" is common, it is only used when trying to address a lot of people.
- Do not say words such as "time" with the long "i" sound. Substitute it for "ah" sound. Try it out. There are a few exceptions, though. To be convincing, never use the "ah" sound in words ending in "T", "K", or "P". For example: "I might ride my bike up the half-pipe today." You would say those normal, but say it more like "Ah-ee." Like, "mah-eet," but say it quick. Any word ending with any other letter is fine. For instance, you wouldn't say "fine", you would say "fahn". The word "for" varies. Some Southerners stress the "or" sound in it and others, like myself, say "fer". But any word such as "horrible" wouldn't be "harrible," but "hORrible."
- Use words such as "awful" when meaning "a lot." For example, "I have an awful lot of homework today!" and "That's awful nice." Say things like "Oh, my gracious!", "Oh, lordy!", and "Oh, my lord!". Use "Oh, my goodness!" sparingly. Some people do not like you to use God's name in vain.
- Don't add an "-ing" on anything. Well, maybe "everything" and "anything," but you know what I mean. Say "nothin'" and things like that.
- Really swoop the "oo" as in goodness. "Oh my goodness!"
- And lastly, the long "o" sound should be more like the "O" in "bowl". So it would be "Is H-ow-p h-ow-m?
Tips
- Remember that southern accents are different in every state. For instance, the West Tennessean accent sounds almost "twangy," (Ex. 'haybay-al' instead of hay bale) while the Georgian accent is much softer on the ears. (Ex. 'hay-behll') Study which area in the south you want to impersonate!
Warnings
- Don't swear excessively. There is a difference between being a redneck and being southern.
- Don't use 'bless your heart' unless you mean it as an insult.
