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Learning to adopt a specific accent can be highly beneficial for various occasions. Speaking English with an authentic Irish accent will astonish both colleagues and friends with the melodic charm of the Emerald Isle, making them forget the typical Hollywood star accents. With the right techniques, you can sound like a native of Dublin.
Steps
Pronounce Vowels and Consonants
Pronounce vowels softly. Many people, especially Americans, tend to emphasize vowels. For example, Americans pronounce the letter A as "ay," while Irish speakers say "ah" or "aw." Pay attention to this when pronouncing words, particularly those with vowels in the middle.
- The phrase "How are you?" is typically pronounced as "Ha-ware-ya?" The "au" in "how" and "oo" in "you" in American pronunciation often lack distinction.
- The sounds in words like "night," "like," and "I" are pronounced like "oi" in "oil." The word "Ireland" is pronounced as "Oireland."
- Although this sound is similar to "oi," it’s not identical. The 'o' transforms into something closer to a schwa sound (/ə/). This diphthong doesn’t exist in American English and sounds like a combination of "Uh, I..."
- The schwa sound, as in "strut," varies by accent. In traditional Dublin accents, it’s pronounced like in "foot," while in modern Dublin accents (popular among youth), it’s closer to "bit."
- The /e/ sound, as in "end," is pronounced like the vowel in "ash." The word "any" is pronounced as "Annie."
- There are numerous Irish accents with subtle differences, so some rules may not apply universally.
Emphasize consonants. Generally, Americans tend to skip over consonants when speaking. Words like "ladder" and "latter" are pronounced the same in the U.S., but Irish speakers differentiate them. Make sure to pronounce each consonant clearly (except as noted in the next rule).
- When /d/ is at the beginning, it’s often pronounced as /d͡ʒ/ or like the J sound in most English accents. Thus, "due" sounds like "Jew." The unvoiced "t" follows a similar pattern, becoming "ch." For example, "tube" is pronounced like "choob."
- There’s a distinction between "wine" and "whine." Words starting with "wh" are pronounced with an initial "h" sound—try exhaling slightly before saying the word, making it sound like "hwine."
- Some Irish accents turn "think" and "that" into "tink" and "dat." Occasionally, incorporate this pronunciation into your speech.
Drop the /g/ sound. English has many words ending in -ing, but you’ll rarely hear an Irish speaker pronounce the /g/ clearly, at least in natural conversation. Whether it’s a verb or a gerund, omit the /g/ sound.
- "Morning" becomes "mornin," and "walking" becomes "walkin," along with many similar words. This applies universally in all contexts.
- In traditional Dublin accents, which have been around for a long time, final sounds are often dropped entirely. For example, "sound" becomes "soun."
Pronounce the /r/ sound clearly (also known as rhotic). Most American English speakers won’t find this challenging. However, if your accent is non-rhotic (dropping the /r/ at the end or middle of a word, like pronouncing "park" as "pack"), make sure to emphasize the "r" sound—whether it’s at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.
- American and British English speakers will need to pronounce the 'r' more prominently than they usually do. Try curling your tongue slightly in your mouth when saying words with 'r' in the middle or at the end.
Practice style, grammar, and vocabulary
Speak quickly but clearly. You won’t hear an Irish person say "coulda, woulda, shoulda." Every sound (unless dropped during pronunciation) should be articulated clearly. Your tongue and lips will be working overtime.
- If you pause while speaking, use "em" to fill the gap. Avoid "uh" or "um"; stick to "em." If you can use this naturally, your Irish accent will sound more authentic. Since Irish speakers frequently use this filler, you’ll know exactly how to handle pauses when figuring out how to pronounce something.
Repeat the verb in yes/no questions. Typically, yes/no questions are straightforward, and we respond with just "yes" or "no." Sounds logical, right? Not quite. This isn’t how it’s done in the land of saints and scholars. When asked, you’ll reply with the subject 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) structure is a hallmark of Irish English, often sparking debates and confusion. It’s used to indicate something that has just happened in two scenarios:
- Between two verbs in the past continuous tense (to indicate a recent action): 'Why did you go to the shop?' -- "I was after running-out of potatoes." Don’t confuse this with the English usage of "seeking" or "searching for." You can’t be "after buying potatoes"—otherwise, you wouldn’t need to go to the shop.
- Between two verbs in the present continuous tense (used as an exclamation): "I'm after performing on the West End!"
Use idioms and colloquial phrases. The Irish accent comes with unique words and phrases that differ from other English dialects. Many might not understand you when you try to speak with an Irish accent, but these changes are essential to sound like a native. Gradually, you’ll confidently mimic Irish speech!
- Cheers: This isn’t just for toasting; it’s widely used in everyday conversation. It can mean "thank you," "hello," or "goodbye." Use it often, as the Irish do.
- Lad: A term for men, often used affectionately. Interestingly, "lads" can also refer to a mixed-gender group.
- C'mere: While "come here" means the same in all dialects, in Irish English, it’s a catchphrase meaning "listen" or simply "hey" to grab attention. Start a sentence with "C'mere" to sound natural.
- Right: This can replace "c'mere." It has multiple meanings but is often used for confirmation. For example, "Right, we're meeting at 7 o'clock by the watch tower then?"
- Most British slang works in Irish English, but avoid "Top of the mornin' to ya!" (now used mockingly) and "Blarney!" (a term for Irish people) unless you want to annoy someone.
Think melodically. The Irish accent is often described as more 'musical' than the American one. It has a distinct rhythm not found in other global variants. Practice speaking sentences with a sing-song tone, quite different from your native accent.
- Start sentences with a higher pitch than usual, lower it in the middle, and then rise again at the end.
Irish people use some words differently than Americans, such as:
- Runners: Typically refers to running shoes or tennis shoes.
- Jumper: A simple pullover; a long-sleeved sweater.
- Yoke: A tricky term. It’s used when you can’t recall the name of something. For example, "You know the yoke that you use to clean the dust off the stand?" It’s akin to thingamajig or thingamabob. However, it’s also slang for Ecstasy.
- Boot: Simply refers to the trunk of a car. For example, "Put the food in the boot."
- Footpath: Sidewalk.
- Ride: An extremely attractive person.
- Gum Boil/ Mouth Ulcer: Canker sore.
Self-study
Listen to Irish accents. Search on YouTube, watch movies, or listen to interviews to mimic the Irish accent. However, be cautious of impersonators—there are plenty of them.
- Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, and Tom Cruise aren’t typical Irish speakers. Focus on native voices; Irish news channels like RTÉ are ideal for learning. Note that Northern Ireland has a different accent, so you might explore the Ulster dialect.
Explore Ireland. There’s a correlation between language learning and immersion—you can’t truly master a foreign language without living in the country, and you won’t perfect the accent without being around native speakers.
- If traveling, immerse yourself in the local vibe. Visit small restaurants and listen to the conversations around you. Chat with street vendors. Hire a local tour guide. Surround yourself with the Irish accent as much as possible.
Buy a book. Just as there are American and British English dictionaries, you can find Irish English dictionaries. Additionally, look for resources on colloquialisms and idioms used in Irish speech. Invest time and money into this effort if you’re serious about mastering the accent.
- If a dictionary feels overwhelming and you’re likely to leave it gathering dust, opt for a book on common phrases. Idioms and conversational styles will help you quickly adapt to the Irish way of speaking.
“Gawking” is used instead of “staring,” for example: “She stood there gawking at the new car.” However, it’s pronounced as “gaw-kin” with a silent /g/.
Tips
- Listen to interviews of Celtic Thunder lads and Niall Horan.
- Avoid Hollywood stars faking an Irish accent. You want to speak authentically, not just mimic Leonardo DiCaprio’s impression.
- Note that some words in Ireland have equivalent meanings to American usage but are spelled differently.
- Familiarize yourself with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This will help you understand phonetic content in books and websites. Knowing the connection between symbols and unfamiliar sounds will aid in remembering and using them correctly.
- Listen to interviews of The Script. All three members have distinct accents, helping you decide which one to emulate.
