CHAPTER four
Dialects
Why Should You Learn Dialects?
It’s in every voice-over actor’s best interest to be familiar with as many dialects as possible. Dialects are another way to differentiate your characters. One approach to learning dialects is to master the basic symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (I.P.A.). Learning I.P.A. enables you to take accurate notes when you hear a dialect and also to learn dialects from a book. This chapter lays out a simplified version of the I.P.A. system so that you can learn dialects on your own. It also gives you the basics of twelve of the most common dialects used in animation. This chapter is of necessity only a bare bones look at these dialects. It’s a quick basic reference. To learn any dialect well with all its nuances and exceptions, study it further. See the suggestions for further study at the end of this chapter.
Traditionally, animation casting directors in the United States felt that the primary purpose of using a dialect was not to sound like you cut your teeth on another language but that the dialect was believable to the audience. In comedy, sometimes the stereotype the audience remembered in their head was actually funnier than the real thing so many casting directors wanted the dialect to be broad.
Ethnic actors in Hollywood have been fighting to get roles in films and television for many years. For some time the role of one nationality would go to another nationality or even to someone who looked like they were born in the United States. More recently, television and film executives, and the casting directors who were doing the casting, have tried harder to cast actors according to ethnicity. Ethnic actors need to have an accent that is easily understood. It helps if they are able to adjust their accent to make it sound either heavier or lighter, as well.
Today more casting directors are using actors who have a natural foreign accent in lead roles as foreign characters, so fewer of those roles go to actors who have studied a dialect instead. However your dialect skills will help you get the smaller roles. In the United States, for instance, union rules let a casting director cast you in two or three roles for about the same fee. If you can do dialects well, then one of those smaller roles may be a character with a dialect.
The symbols for the vowels, consonants, and so on given here are symbols used in the I.P.A. Usage for the chart is obtained primarily from my copy of Kenyon and Knott’s A Pronouncing Dictionary of American English and Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Kenyon and Knott are widely considered to be authorities on pronunciation. Other authorities may use slightly different I.P.A. symbols or slightly different pronunciation, and sometimes I’ve preferred their choices. Standard American English or the standard for any other language is sometimes in the ear of the authority making the study. You’ll notice that I include the letter r, if it’s sounded, after з for clarity (fur = fзr). Many people that notate I.P.A. use a more specific symbol for the exact kind of er or r sound instead. There are many symbols in I.P.A. to pick up the nuances of a language … many different r’s and l’s, for example. There are symbols for sounds that are raised or lowered, forward or retracted, dark, or dental. I’ve tried to keep this reasonably simple here.
Phonetic Vowel Symbols
The following vowels are a review from Chapter 2 with a little more detail added. The authorities don’t always agree, so I’ve tried to make it easier to navigate from one source to another.
Some Frequently Used Symbols for Diphthongs (Double Vowel Sounds) in American English
When two vowel sounds slide together in a diphthong, usually the second vowel gets less emphasis than the first. In some languages, double vowels may each receive a separate sound.
Whether some of these words contain diphthongs, or not, depends on the stress placed on the word. Say or pay, boat or bone, could be represented as se or sei, pe or pei, bot or boʊt, or bon or boʊn. If you said, “Pay!” the word would be stressed, and you’d use the diphthong. If you said, “I’m going t’ pay in th’ morning,” then you’d be running the words together, and pay would receive less stress. Therefore, the word would probably not contain a diphthong. Can you hear the difference? You’ll see some of these words represented either way.
Consonant Symbols
Other consonants in most foreign languages are the same as those in standard American English.
Other Sounds
→ is used here to indicate how a word changes in the dialect (oil = ɔil → әil = uheel).
Suggestions for Using a Dialect
What is most important is that a dialect SEEMS authentic and that we can easily understand you. Does your character have a heavy accent or only the hint of an accent? In either case we must understand you clearly. No one is going to laugh at a gag or be touched by an emotional moment if they are concentrating on understanding the words instead. Remember that dialects used in animation may be less about authentic realistic speech and more about portraying a character in a way that is believable to the audience and funny.
If the authentic dialect has too many changes to be easily understood, then simplify. Consider using fewer of the changes or give the changes a light touch, a suggestion of dialect. You’ll notice that some changes are more important than others. A drawl is important for Southern American. Nasalized vowels are an important part of the French dialect. Which changes are most important in the dialect you are using? To lighten a dialect you might use the changes on some words but not on all of them.
Last, but most importantly, how does your specific character influence the way this dialect is portrayed? Experiment to find a dialect that seems authentic and right for your character, but one that is still easy to understand.
Tips for Studying a Foreign Dialect
Four changes can be made in a dialect: melody, vowels, consonants, and idioms. What is the lilt of the language? If you could write it on a musical scale, what would that scale look like? What is the phrasing? Where is the emphasis? What is specifically unusual about this dialect? What are some of the stereotypical characteristics that often come out in the national or tribal speech? What section of the country did your character come from? Where did he learn English? Last, but most importantly, how does your specific character influence the way this dialect is portrayed?
Studying foreign languages helps you to learn dialects. In foreign language courses you may learn voice placement and something about the culture of the country so that you can better understand why the language is different from your own.
Singing classes help, as well. A good teacher can help you with voice placement and control of your voice. The exercises help you to strengthen your voice and broaden your range. Singing in a choir helps you learn to work with a group and gives you the gift of joy in expression.
KEY: In the word examples in parentheses throughout the chapter you’ll find the American word (smile), the American pronunciation in I.P.A. (smaɪl), the foreign dialect pronunciation in I.P.A. (smɔil), and finally an approximation of the dialect sound in English (smaweel). So it will look like this: (smile = smaɪl → smɔil = smaweel).
Brooklyn
This is a dialect from the streets of New York City, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, and New Jersey. Its roots are in the many different nations and regions of the United States where its inhabitants originally lived. The dialect may sound hurried. Syllables are often bitten off sharply. Some of the vowels are nasalized. This dialect uses many contractions (What’s the matter? = hwɑts ðə mætзr ? → ‘s’mæːdз ? = ‘s’ma-duh’?).
Vowel Changes
Stressed vowels are often elongated, and diphthongs glide. All vowels preceding m, n, or ŋ are nasalized.
• ɪ before r = ɪː This is only a slight elongation (not geeuh).
(gear = gɪr → gɪː = giː’)
• e = nasal ʌi
(take = tek → tʌik = tueek)
• æ = high nasal æː
(ask = æsk → æːst = aːst
• aɪ = ɔi
(ride = raɪd → rɔid = raweed)
• aʊ = nasal æʊ
(house = haʊs → hæʊs = hauuhs)
• ɑ = ɔː
(father = fɑðɔзr → fɔːðз = fawː-thuh’
• ɔ = ɔː nasalized with lips pursed
(caught = kɔt → kɔːt = kawːt)
• ɔɪ = əi
(oil = ɔɪl → əil = uheel)
(bone = bon or boʊn → bʌun = buoon)
• the or sound = ɔː
(pour = por → pɔː = pawː’)
• ʊ = ə
(book = bʊk → bək = buhk)
• Final ə = зr before a vowel or at the end of a sentence
(It’s his idea = ɪts hɪz aɪdɪə → Its hɪz ɔidɪːзr = its hiz awee-dier)
• зr may = əi, especially if the зr precedes a consonant
(girl = gзrl → gəil = guheel)
(father = fɑðз → fɔːðз = fawː-thuh’)
Consonant Changes
Many consonants are dropped and may be replaced by a glottal stop (particularly k and t).
(walking = wɔkɪŋ → wɔː/ŋ = wawː/-ng)(battle = bætl → bælː/l = baː/-l)
• d is dental (tongue tip is placed directly against the back of the upper front teeth)
• Medial d may be dropped
(riddle = rɪdl → rɪəl = ri’-uhl)
• g — a slight g sound may be added after ng
(thing = ɵɪŋ → ɵɪŋg = thing-g)
• l is dark and dental
• Medial n may be dropped if followed by another consonant
(construct = kənstrʌkt → kəstrʌk = kuh’-struk’)
• ŋ may be pronounced as a nasal n
(length = lɛŋkɵ → lɛnɵ = lehn’th)
• r — the tongue tips down while the lips are widened and rounded. The sound is almost a w sound.
• r may be dropped before a consonant
(court = kort → kɔːt = kawː’t)
• Final r is usually dropped
• t is dental
• When t is between two vowels, it is often heard as a d
(party = pɑrtɪ → pɔːdi = pawː’-dee)
• Final t may be dropped when it’s preceded by f, k, n, or s sounds
(loft = lɔft → lɔːf = laːwf’)
• ɵ is dental
• For ð or ɵ the letters d or t may be substituted for old-time characters with little education
(these = ðiz → diz = deez)(north = nɔrɵ → nɔːt = nawː’t’)
• Medial tʃ = kʃ
(lecture = lɛktʃзr → lɛkʃз = lehk-’shuh’)
Educated Southern American
This speech developed from the way of life of the educated Southerner. It’s slower. Words are drawled, especially before a pause or at the end of a sentence. Stressed words and syllables tend to receive the most drawl. Syllables may be dropped (vigorous = vɪgзrəs → vɪːgrəs – viː-g’ruhs
Vowel Changes
Many of the following vowels may become diphthongs, especially when stressed.
• i may = iə (before l, especially in short words)
(feel = fil → fiəl = feeuhl)(feeling = filɪŋ → filɪn = fee-lin’)
• ɪ may add jə
(thick = ɵɪk → ɵɪjək = thiyuhk)(fear = fɪr → fɪjə = fiyuh’)
• But ɪ may = ɛː before ŋ in a monosyllabic word
(ring = rɪŋ → rɛːŋ = rehːng)
• ɛ before r = æə
(hair = hɛr → hæə = hauh’)
• But ɛ before a nasal consonant (m, n, or ŋ) usually = ɪ
(temper = tɛmpзr → tɪmpə = tim-puh’)
• or ɛ = ɪə before nd, ns, or nt
(end = ɛ nd → ɪən = iuhn’)
• æ usually = nasal æːɪ
(ask = æsk → æːɪst = aːist)(bad = bæd → bæːɪd = baːid)
• But æ may add jə (especially before l)
(gal = gæl → gæjəl = gayuhl)
• aɪ = ɑə
(ice = aɪs → ɑəs = aahuhs)
• But final aɪ or aɪ followed by an r sound = ɑː
(try = traɪ → trɑː = traahː)(liar = laɪзr → lɑː = laahː’)
(proud = praʊd → præud = praood)
• ɑ = ɑə before r plus a final consonant
(park = pɑrk → pɑək = paahuh’k)
• But ɑ = ɑː before r in most other cases
(far = fɑr → fɑː = faahː’)(garden = gɑrdn → gɑːdn = gaahː’-d’n)
• ɔ may = ɔo. The o sound is not rounded.
(taught = tɔt → tɔot = tawoht)
(draw = drɔ → drɔo = drawoh)(dog = dɔg → dɔog = dawohg)
• But ɔ = ɑ (when followed by r and a vowel sound)
(floral = flɔrəl → flɑrəl = flaah’-ruhl)
(porridge = pɔrɪdʒ → pɑrɪdʒ = paah-rij)
• The letter o, followed by an r sound (as in cord, floor, sore), = oə
(door = dor → doə = dohuh’)
• ʊ may = ʊɪ
(could = kʊd → kʊɪd = kuuhid)
• ʌ followed by m or n = slightly nasal зː
(lunch = lʌntʃ → lзːntʃ = luhːntch)
• зr (in short words) = зɪ (in the northerly South)
(work = wзrk → wзɪk = wuh’ik)
(her = hзr → hз = huh’)(The ɪ is dropped when the зr is final.)
• But зr (in short words) = ʌɪ (Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee)
(work = wзrk → wʌɪk = wuik)
• And зr (ending in longer words) = ə
(tender = tɛndзr → tɪəndə = tiuhn-duh’)
Consonant Changes
• When d is preceded by n and followed by an l or z sound, it may be dropped
(bands = bændz → bæːɪnz = baːin’z)(handle = hændl → hæːɪnl = haːin’l)
• Final d following l or n is often dropped
(stand = stænd → stæːɪn = staːin’)
• Initial h may be dropped
(humor = hjumзr → jumз = yoo-muh’)
(film = fɪlm → fɪjəm = fiyuhm)
• ŋ may = n
(length = lɛŋkɵ → lɪnɵ = lin’th)
• r — often dropped (but not always). It is pronounced, initially.
• Many Southerners, especially those in the mountain regions, may also pronounce their other r’s, frequently.
• Medial t may be dropped between two consonants
(fists = fɪsts → fɪːs = fiː’s)
• Final t is often dropped after the letters f, n, or s
(burst = bзrst → bзɪs = buh’is)
• w may be dropped in an unstressed syllable
(young one = jʌŋ wən → jзːŋ зn = yuhːng ’uhn)
European Dialects
There are similarities in many of the European languages. Most of these languages have the vowels: i, something between ɪ and e, a, some kind of o, and u. Listen especially for changes in the following vowels and diphthongs: ɪ, eɪ, æ, oʊ, ʊ (often o or ə), ʌ (often ɑ, ɒ or ɔ), ə (seldom found), often з. Listen for the following consonant changes: l (often dental), r (usually trilled), d-t-n (usually dental), hw, v, ð (often s, ʃ, t, ts, or tʃ), and ɵ (often z, ʒ, d, dʒ, or dʃ). Watch for other different letter pronunciations. Check where the accent is placed in each word; in English it’s generally on the second syllable.
The Educated British Dialect
This is the dialect of the educated Englishman. It was used primarily, originally, in southern England. The tonal pitch is generally higher than that used in American English, but the pitch ranges up and down the scale a great deal more than it does in standard American English. This dialect uses more stress syllables per sentence than American English, and that stress is most often on the words that receive the highest or lowest notes. In words the stress is more often on the first syllable, especially in words that end in the letter y. Sounds may be dropped (friendly = frɛndlɪ → frɛnlɪ = frehn-’li)(wireless = waɪrlɪs → wɑːləs = waahː’-luhs).
Vowel Changes
• ɪ before a final r = ɪз
(ear = ɪr → ɪз = iuh)
• ɪ in a suffix may = ə
(biscuit = bɪskɪt → bɪskət = bis-kuht)
(take = tek → tɛik = teheek)
• ɛ usually remains the same. However ɛ may = e
(again = əgɛn → əgen = uh-gayn)
• American æ (before the f sound, ff, ft, nce, nch, nt, sk, sp, ss, st, and th) usually = ɑː
(ask = æsk → ɑːsk = aahːsk)(basket = bæskɪt → bɑːskət = baahːs-kuht)
• Other æ sounds = ɛ
(narrow = næroʊ → nɛdɛu = neh-dehoo)(bad = bæd → bɛd = behd)
• aɪ may = ɑː
(choir = kwaɪr → kwɑː = kwaahː’)
• aʊ may = ɑː
(out = aʊt → ɑːt = aahːt)
• ɑ may = ɒ This is the sound for the short letter o (NOT the ɑ of the letter a as in father, park, etc.). The British sound is short in duration with the lips pursed as if to say aw. But the sound of ɒ comes out instead.
(pond = pɑnd → pɒnd = pond)(shot = ʃɑt → ʃɒt = shot)
• ɔ may = ɔ. But this is not quite the normal ɔ sound. The lips are pursed for oh and aw comes out instead.
• This sound is used for words spelled with the letter a followed by u, w, final l, l and a consonant, or preceded by w and followed by r plus a consonant.
(autumn, saw, ball, caldron, warm).
• The sound is also used for words spelled with the letter o followed by final r, and r plus a consonant, f, s, or th. (floor, ordeal, off, floss, cloth)
(ball = bɔl → bɔl = boh/awl)(warm = wɔrm → wɔm = woh/aw’m)
(cough = kɔf = coh/awf)(This letter o + u is followed by the f sound.)
• o or oʊ = ɛu
(bone = bon or boʊn → bɛun = behoon)
• u = ɪu. The ɪ sound is very short.
(moon = mun → mɪun = mioon)
(unit = junɪt → jɪunɪt = yioo-nit)(beauty = bjutɪt → bjɪutɪ = byioo-ti)
• ʌ = ɑ
(above = əbʌv → əbɑv = uh-baahv)(lovely = lʌvlɪ → lɔvl = laahv-li)
• ə is very short, and it may even be dropped at the beginning of a word or between two consonants.
(banana = bənænə → bnɑːnə = b’-naahː-nuh)
(madam = mædəm → mɛd’m = meh-d’m)
Consonant Changes
• Medial ph (sounded f) = v
(nephew = nɛfju → nɛvjɪu = neh-vyioo)
• r is eliminated after a vowel and before a consonant
(park = pɑrk → pɑːk = paahː’k)
• r is eliminated when it’s the final sound in a word
(fire = faɪr → fɑː = faahː’)
• r is a one tap trilled r between two vowels
(very = vɛrɪ → vɛːɪ = vehː-di)
• But this is not really a d, but a one tap trilled r with the tongue hitting just behind the upper teeth.
• Initial r, or r after a consonant and before a vowel, sounds like an American r.
(rose = roz = rɛuz = rehooz)(grip = grɪp = grɪp = grip)
(sentry = sɛntrɪ = sɛntrɪ = sehn-tri)
• The final r is sounded if the following word starts with a vowel.
(The fur is red = ðə fзr ɪz rɛd = ðə fзr ɪz rɛd = Thuh fer iz rehd)
• tʃ = tj (mainly in words that end in the letters ure)
(nature = netʃзr → nɛitjз = nehee-tyuh’)
Cockney
The word Cockney comes from a French word meaning rogue or rascal. Originally, the dialect was spoken by those living within the sound of St. Paul’s church in London. Today the dialect is used by the lower and lower-middle classes in many places in London. Generally, the dialect is spoken in a high-pitched nasal voice, often with a whine. The mouth is, usually, half open with jaws slack. Stress is mainly on vowels with the primary emphasis on triphthongs, then on diphthongs, and finally on the single vowels. Sounds and whole syllables may be dropped. (believe = bəliv → bləiv = b’luheev)(except = ɪksɛpt → ‘sɛp’ = ‘sehp’)
Vowel Changes
• i = əi
(we = wi → wəi = wuhee)
• Final i (with the letter y) = ɪ
(Cockney = kɑkni → kɔːknɪ = kawːk-ni)
(break = brek → brɑi/ = braahee/)
• æ usually = ɛ
(bad = bæd → bɛd = behd)(fascinate = fæsɪnet → fɛsɪnɑit = feh-si-naaheet)
• æ may = ɑː In general, when the short letter a is followed by the letters f, ft, nch, nce, nt, sk, sp, ss, st, and th, it should be pronounced ɑː
(fast = fæst → fɑːst = faahːst)
• aɪ = ɔi
(right = raɪt → rɔit = raweet)
• aʊ usually = ɑː
(cow = kaʊ → kɑː = kaahː)
• ɑ = ɔː The Cockney ɔː sound comes from deep down in the throat and the lips are pursed.
(hot = hɑt → ɔːt = awːt)(darling = dɑrlɪŋ → dɔːlɪn = dawː’-lin’)
• ɔ followed by l = ɔu
(call = kɔl → kɔul = kawool)
• o or oʊ = æou
(sew = so or soʊw → sæou = saohoo)
• But final o or oʊ (with the letters ow) may = з
(narrow = n æro or næroʊ → nɛrз = neh-ruh)
• u = ɪu
(moon = mun → mɪun = mioon)
• ju = ɪjɪu
(beauty = bjutɪ → bɪjɪutɪ = biyioo-ti)
• ʌ = ɑ
(love = lʌv → lɑv = laahv)
• ə = з
(alone = əlon → зlæoun = uh-laohoon)
• зr = зː
(learning = lзrnɪŋ → lзːnɪn = luhː’-nin’)
The Cockney Glide
A word beginning with a vowel carries over the final consonant from the preceding word. Final vowel sounds on a preceding word may cause the following word to add y, r, or w instead.
(cat is = kæt ɪz → kɛ tɪz = keh tiz)
(lady is = ledɪ ɪz → lɑidɪ jɪz = laahee-di yiz)
Unaccented Syllables
Unstressed syllables may be dropped.
(because = bɪkɔz → kɔz =’kawz)(family = fæməlɪ → fɛmlɪ = fehm’-li)
Consonant Changes
• d followed by y or i sound usually = j sound
(immediately = ɪmidɪɪtlɪ → ɪməijɪtlɪ= i-muhee-jit-li)
• h is omitted when it’s the first letter in a word or when it’s medial in the word and is preceded by a consonant and followed by a vowel
(hobbits inhabit houses = hɑbɪts ɪnhæbɪt haʊzɪz → ɔːbɪt sɪnɛbɪ tɑːzɪz = ’awː-bit sin-’eh-bi t’aahː-ziz)
• h is added to the first word of a sentence if it begins with a vowel, or it’s added to a word that begins with a vowel and is preceded by a word that ends with a vowel, a letter y, or a weak consonant
(Always buy oranges = ɔlwɪz baɪ ɔrɪndʒɪz → nɔulɪz bɔi hɔrɪndʒɪz = Hawool-’iz bawee haw-rin-jiz)
• ɪŋ that is part of a participial ending (running, playing, talking) = ɪn
(running = rʌnɪŋ → rɑnɪn = raah-nin’)
• ɪŋ that is not part of a participial ending may occasionally = ɪnk
(thing = ɵɪŋ → ɵɪnk = think) or (thing = ɵɪŋ → fɪŋ = fing)
• It’s suggested that one of these changes or the other be made, but not both changes in the same word. (See ɵ later.)
• Final k sound is usually replaced by a glottal stop
(bloke = blok → blæou/ = blaohoo/)
• l receives a u before it, when it’s preceded by a vowel and followed by a consonant.
(fall = fɔl → fɔul = fawool)
• Or sometimes instead the l may be dropped and replaced by u when it’s preceded by a vowel and followed by a consonant.
(build = bɪld → bɪud = bioo’d)
• Final l may = glottal stop, unless the following word starts with a vowel. Then the l will be carried over.
(final chance = faɪnl tʃæns → fɔin / tʃɑːns = faween/tchaahːns)
(fall off = fɔl ɔf → fɔu lɔf = fawoo lawf)
• r is sounded only when it’s followed by a voiced vowel
(hurt = hзrt → зːt = ’uhːt)(boring = borɪŋ → bæourɪn = baohoo-rin’)
• An extra r may sometimes be added after a vowel sound, changing the vowel to зr.
(fellow = fɛlo → fɛlзr = feh-ler)(idea = aɪdiə → ɔidɪjзr = awee-diyer)
• t may be replaced by a glottal stop
(little = lɪst → lɪ/u = li/oo)
• Final t is usually dropped after s, p, and k
(last = læst → lɑːs’ = laahːs’)
• ð may = v
(brother = brʌðзr → brɑзː = braah-vuhː’)
• ɵ may = f
(thirst = ɵзrst → fзːs’ = fuhːs’)
• w may be dropped after a consonant and before a vowel
(backward = bækwзrd → bɛkзːd = behk-’uhː’d)
Irish
The language of Ireland sprang from Gaelic, an elegant and poetic language. The Irish love the beauty of words, which you can hear in the language. The melody of sentences has a lilt, but overall sentences tend to glide downward. The pace of the language is quick. The Irish tend to talk with their jaws more closed than Americans do. Many vowels are elongated. Many endings of words are contracted (an, el, en, er, et, il, in, le, and on), so that the vowel is dropped, and the two consonants are joined (often = ɔfən → ɑːfnː = aahː-f’nn)(never = nɛvзr → nːɪvr = nni-v’r).
Vowel Changes
The Irish tend to invert their tongue when pronouncing vowels by keeping the shaft of the tongue in the normal position and then curling the tip up (instead of forward).
• i = eː when the long letter e is followed by the letters i, a, or re
(beat = bit → beːt = bayːt)
(deceit = dɪsit → dɪseːt = di-sayːt)
• i = ɪː when the long letter e is not affected by the previous rule
(street = strit → stɵrɪːt = stthriːt)(he = hi → hɪː = hiː)
• ɪ usually = ə
(sit = sɪt → sət = suht)(women = wɪmɪn → wəmn = wuh-m’n)
• But ɪ = ɪ in a weak prefix or suffix
(believe, deceit, depend, pretty, jelly)
• eɪ = ɛː
(say = seɪ → sɛː = sehː)
• ɛ = ɪ when followed by the letters m, n, or v
(devil = dɛvl → dɪvl = di-v’l)
• æ = ɑː
(laughter = læftзr → lɑːftɵr = laahːft-th’r)
• aɪ = əi
(my = maɪ → məi = muhee)
• aʊ = əu
(downtown = daʊntaʊn → dəunːtɵəunː = duhoonnt-thuhoonn)
• ɑ = aː
(father = fɑðзr → faːðr = fahː-th’r)
• ɔ = ɑː
(fall = fɔl → fɑːl = faahːl)(water = wɔtзr → wɑːtɵr = waahːt-th’r)
(cough = kɔf → kɑːf = kaahːf)(off = ɔf → ɑːf = aahːf)
• ɔɪ = əi
(soil = sɔɪl → səil = suheel)
• Final o sound = ə
(bellow = bɛlo → bɛːlə = behː-luh)
• oʊ = ɔʊ
(golden = goʊldn → gɔʊldnː = gawuuhl-d’nn)
• ʊ = əː
(foot = fʊt → fəːt = fuhːt)
• u = ʊ
(food = fud → fʊd = fuuhd) (as in good)
• ju = ɪjʊ
(unit = junɪt → ɪjʊuːət = iyuuh-nnuht)
(human = hjumən → hɪjʊmnː = hiyuuh-m’nn)
(love = lʌv → lʊv = luuhv)
• зr usually = ər
(curb = kзrb → kərb = kuhrb)(work = wзrk → wərək = wuhruhk)
Consonant Changes
• Initial or medial d = dʒ before the letter u (lower class Irish only)
(duty = djutɪ → dʒʊtɵɪ = juuh-tthi)
• nd or ld at the end of a word = n or l. The d is dropped.
(band = bænd → bɑːn ː = baahːnn)(build = bɪld → bə = buhl)
• dr = dər
(drink = drɪŋk → dərənːk = duhruhnnk)
• d at the end of a word, preceded by a consonant or a mute vowel may = t
(filled = fɪld → fəlt = fuhlt)
• ɪŋ usually = əː n when used in a participial ending (keeping, taking, having)
(ringing = rɪŋɪŋ → rəŋənː = ruhng-uhnn’)
• k is sometimes dropped either in the middle or end of a word
(ask = æsk → ɑːs = aahːs’)
• n = nː
(run = rʌn → rʊnː = ruuhnn)
• r is forward and rolled very briefly with the tip of the tongue
• When a vowel is present before an r, a yuh, or occasionally a wuh sound, often precedes the r
(fair = fɛr → fɛjər = fehyuhr)(fire = faɪr → fəijər = fuheeyuhr)
(cure = kjʊr → kɪjʊwɛr = kiyuuhwuhr)
• When an r precedes f, g, k, l, and m, medially or finally, an ə usually follows the r
(warm = wɔrm → wɑːrəm = waahː-ruhm)
• t is pronounced with the tongue tip between the upper and lower front teeth
• t in the beginning or middle of a word is generally pronounced tɵ
(truth = truɵ → tɵrʊɵ = tthruuhth)
• When t follows another consonant, it’s usually dropped
(soft = sɔft → sɑːf = saahːf’)
(what = hwɑt → hwaːt = hwahːt)
Educated East Indian
The East Indian dialect is similar to the British dialect because so many Indians were educated in England or by Englishmen when the country belonged to Britain. Since there are so very many different native dialects in India, there are many inconsistencies from one area of the country to another. What follows is a generally accepted, educated upper-class dialect.
Vowel Changes
• i may = ɪ
(me = mi → mɪ = mi) or
• i = i (no changes)
(creek = krik = kreek)(creed = krid = kreed)
• ɪ = i
(sit = sɪt → sːit = sseet)
• e = ɛ
(make = mek → mɛk = mehk)
• æ = ɑː
(task = tæsk → tɑːsː = taahːss)
(animate = ænəmet → ɑːnemɛt = aah:-nay-meht) or
• æ = ɛ
(bad = bæd → bɛd = behd)(sand = sænd → sːɛnd = ssehnd)
• ɑ (short o as in shot, pond, rob, tonic) = ɒ. This is the British sound with lips pursed as if to say aw, but ɒ is sounded instead.
(pond = pɑnd → pɒnd = pond)
• ɑʊ = oʊ
(out = ɑʊt → oʊt = ohuuht)
• ɔ = ɔ But this is not the normal ɔ sound. The lips are pursed for oh, but the sound of aw comes out.
(This sound is used for words spelled with the letter a followed by u, w, final l, l and a consonant, or preceded by w and followed by r plus a consonant.)
(ball = bɔl → bɔl = boh/awl)(warm = wɔrm → vwɔm = vwoh/aw’m)
(oil = ɔɪl → ɑil = aaheel)
• o or oʊ (long o) = ɔ
(bone = bon → bɔn = bawn)
• ʌ = ɑ
(up = ʌp → ɑb = aahb)
• ə = e
(alone = əlon → elɔn = ay-lawn)
• u = ʊ
(tooth = tuɵ → tʊsː = tuuhss)(unit = junɪt → jʊnit = yuuh-neet)
Consonant Changes
Occasionally, some final consonants may be dropped.
• dʒ = tʃ or dj
(age = edʒ → ɛtʃ = ehtch)(soldier = soldʒзr → sːɔldз = ssawl-dyuh’)
• g is dropped in iŋ endings
(winning = wɪnɪŋ → vwinin = vwee-neen’)
• Final k may be dropped
(ask = æsk → ɑːsː s = aahːss’)
• Letters el and le = ʊl
(label = lebl → lɛbʊl = leh-buuhl)
(table = tebl → tɛbʊl = teh-buuhl)
(sample = sæmpl → sːɑːmpʊl = ssaahːm-puuhl)
• Final p = b
(cup = kʌp → kɑb = kaahb)
• q = k
(quick = kwɪk → kik = keek)
• r is usually rolled
• • r may be dropped after a vowel
(dark = dɑrk → dɑk = daah’k)
• s is sibilant, especially when final
(grass = græs → grɑːsː = graahːss)
• s may = z between vowels
(research = risзrtʃ → rɪzзtʃ = ri-zuh’tch)
• ð may = d or sː One person may use ð, d, and sː
(father = fɑðзr → fɑdr = faah-d’r)(those = ðoz → sːɔsː = ssawss)
• ɵ may = t or sː One person may use ɵ, t, and sː
(thrift = ɵrɪft → trift = treeft)
(something = sʌmpɵɪŋ → sːɑmsːin’= ssaahm-sseen’)
• v may = vw
(vim = vɪm → vwim = vweem) or
• v may = f
(alive = əlaɪv → elaɪf = ay-lahif)
• w = vw
(win = wɪn → vwin = vween)
• ʒ = ʃ
(division = dəvɪʒən → devwiʃn = day-vwee-sh’n)
• z may = s
(razor = rezзr → rɛs’r = reh-s’r)
Spanish
Although there are a few differences between Spanish dialects, this Spanish dialect has traditionally been used for all Spanish-speaking dialects. For a more authentic Mexican dialect, see the Mexican variations following. There may be as much as a two-octave range in pitch in the Spanish dialect, especially when the words are emotional. Inflection in these sentences more often goes down in pitch except in sentences that ask for a yes or no answer. There are no glottal stops.
Vowel Changes
Vowels are enunciated clearly and distinctly. Diphthongs are rarely used, and when they are, each sound is usually pronounced separately.
• ɪ = i The lips are widened (as in a smile) for the i sound.
(milk = mɪlk → milk = meelk)
• e = ɛ
(lake = lek → lɛk = lehk)
• æ = ɑ
(laugh = læf → lɑf = laahf)
• ɛ = æ
(spending = spɛndɪŋ → sːpænədðin’= sspan-uhdtheen’)
(ice = aɪs → aiːsː = ah-eeːss)
• aʊ = ɑu
(found = faʊnd → fɑun = faah-oon’)
• ɔ (as in caught and ball) = ɒ
(caught = kɔt → kɒtð = kotth)
• ɔ (as in off and bought) = ɔ as in American English
(off = ɔf = awf)
• ɔɪ = ɔi
(voice = vɔɪs → bvɔisː = bvaweess)
• Letter o and oʊ sound = ɔ
(rod = rɑd → rɔdð = rawdth)
(follow = fɑlo → fɔlɔ = faw-law) (dough = doʊ → dðɔ = dthaw)
• ʊ = u
(pull = pʊl → pul = pool)
• u = ʊ
(food = fud → fʊdð = fuuhdth)
• ju = ʊ
(beauty = bjutɪ → bʊtði = buuht-thee)
(music = mjuzɪk → mʊsːik = muuh-sseek)
• ʌ = ɔ or ɑ
(trust = trʌst → tðrɔsː = tthrawss’) or (trust = trʌst → tðrɑsː = tthraahss’)
• ə usually = ɑ
(ago = əgo → ɑgɔ = aah-gaw)
• зr (spelled er or ear) = ɛr
(earn = зrn = ɛrn = ehrn)
• зr (spelled or) = ɔr
(world = wзrld → əwɔrl = uhwawrl’)
• зr (spelled ir) = ir
(girl = gзrl → khirl = kheerl)
• зr (spelled ur) = ur
(curb = kзrb → kurb = koorb)
Consonant Changes
Often two adjacent consonant sounds are separated by the aspirate ə. This sound is light and never forced, merely a puff of air. We should hardly hear the sound.
(bullfight = bʊlfaɪt → buləfaiːtð = bool-uhfaheeːtth)
(waterway = wɔtзrwe → əwɒtðɛrəwɛ = uhwo-tthehr-uhweh)
When two similarly produced consonants are together, the weaker one is generally dropped.
This same rule applies when a word ends with a consonant and the next word starts with a similar consonant.
(bookcase = bʊkkes → bukɛsː = book-’ehss)
(big kite = bɪg kaɪt → bi kaiːtð = bee’ kaheeːtth)
If two consonants are together at the end of a word, the final consonant may be dropped.
(homeland = homlænd → xɔməlɑn = khawm-uhlaahn’)
• b used in the middle of a word = bv (except when it is preceded by m or n) Lips are slightly open and not touching for the b sound. The lower lip protrudes.
(husband = hʌzbənd → xɔsːəbvɑn = khawss-uhbvaahn’)
(bonbon = bɑnbɑn → bɔnəbɔn = bawn-uhbawn)
• Hard c = k (no change)
(cough = kɔf = kawf)
• Soft c = sibilant s
(dance = dæns → dðɑnsː = dthaahnss)
• d = d ð (tip of tongue is at the lower cutting edge of the upper teeth)
(dead = dɛd → dðædð = dthadth)
• Final d may be dropped when it’s preceded by a consonant, or when the following word starts with t
(band = bænd → bɑn’ = baahn’)
(bad tomato = bæd təmeto → bɑ’ tðɑmɛtɔ = baah’ tthaah-meh-taw)
• Hard g before letters e and i = gutteral kh
(gift = gɪft → khif = kheef’)
• Any other hard g remains the same
(gone = gɔn = gawn)
(ridge = rɪdʒ → riʒ = reezh)
• g is normally dropped in an ɪŋ ending
(morning = mɔrnɪŋ → mɔrənin = mawr-uhneen’)
• h at the beginning of a word is often dropped
(honor = ɑnзr → ɔnɔr = ’aw-nawr)(home = hom → ɔm =’awm)
• h either at the beginning of a word or in the middle may = x (kh sound). This is a kind of gargle sound, but the uvula doesn’t vibrate.
(mishap = mɪshæp → misːxəp ɑ = meess-uhkhaahp)
• Soft j (dʒ) = zh (ʒ)
(project [noun] = prɑʒdɛkt → prɑʒæk = praah-zhak’)
• When final le is preceded by a consonant, le = ul
(fable = febl → fɛbvul = feh-bvool)
• Initial q = kəw
(quick = kwɪk → kə = kuhweek)
• r is trilled. It is never dropped. Breath causes the tongue tip to tap lightly against the upper teeth ridge multiple times.
• s is sibilant (sː) and always pronounced as s (never z)
• Initial s is preceded by the aspirate ə if the preceding word in the phrase has ended with a consonant sound.
(I walk slowly = aɪ wɔk slolɪ → aiː əwɔk əsːəlɔli = aheeː uhwawk uhssuhlaw-lee)
• ʃ = tʃ only occasionally in the Spanish dialect. (This is mainly a Mexican variation.)
(if used in Spanish: shall = ʃæl → tʃɑl = tchaahl)
• t is dental = t ð (tip of tongue is at the back edge of the upper teeth)
• When a final t is followed by a word beginning with d, the t is dropped
(that dog = ðæt dɔɡ → tðɑ dðɔg = tthaah’dthawg)
• Final t at the end of a word, preceded by the sound of a consonant, is dropped
(want = wɑnt → əwɑn = uhwaahn’)
• v = bv (see b sound above)
(very = vɛrɪ → bværi = bva-ree)
• When w is at the beginning of a word, the aspirate ə precedes it
(win = wɪn → əwin = uhween)
• Letter x = sː when it precedes a consonant
(extra = ɛkstrə → æsːtðrɑ = ass-tthraah)
• x usually = ks or gs between two vowels
(exorcise = ɛksɔrsaɪz → æksːɔrəsːaiːsː = aks-sawr-uhssaheeːss)
(example = ɪgzæmpl → igsːɑmpul = eeg-ssaahm-pool)
• z = sibilant s
(fuzz = fʌz → fɔsː = fawss)
Mexican
This dialect is basically Spanish with variations. Some of the variations come from an American influence.
Vowel Changes
• ɪ = i The lips are widened for the i sound
(milk = mɪlk → milk = meelk)
• e = ɛ
(lake = lek → lɛk = lehk)
• æ = ɑ
(laugh = læf → lɑf = laahf)
• The Mexican dialect may sometimes retain the æ as in American English.
(laugh = læf = laf)
• ɛ usually = eː
(spending = spɛndɪŋ → sːpeːnədin’ = sspayːn-uhdeen’)
• aɪ = aiː
(ice = aɪs → aiːsː = aheeːss)
• aʊ = aʊ (as in American English)
(found = faʊnd → faʊn’= fahuuhn’)
• ɒ = ɒ or ɔ
(on = ɒn = on)(no change) or (on = ɒn → ɔn = awn)
• ɔ (as in caught and ball) = o
(ball = bɔl → bol = bohl)
• ɔ (as in off and bought) = ɔ as in American English
(off = ɔf = awf)
(voice = vɔɪs → bvɔisː = bvaweess)
• Letter o and sound oʊ may = ɔ [preferred]
(follow = fɑlp → fɔlɔ = faw-law)(dough = doʊ → dɔ = daw)
(bone = bon or boʊn → bɔn = bawn)
• Or the letter o and sound o may instead retain the American sound.
(dough = doʊ or do = dohuuh or doh)
(bone = bon or boʊn = bohn or bohuuhn)
• ʊ = u
(pull = pʊl → pul = pool)
• u usually = u as in American English
(food = fud = food)
• ju usually = ju as in American English
(beauty = bjutɪ → bjuti = byoo-tee)
(music = mjuzɪk → mjusːik = myoo-sseek)
• ʌ = ɔ or ɑ
(trust = trʌst → trɔsː = trawss’) or instead
(trust = trʌst → trɑsː = traahss’) [preferred]
• ə usually = ɑ
(ago = əgo → ɑgo = aah-goh)
• зr (spelled er or ear) = ɛr
(earn = зrn = ɛrn = ehrn)
• зr (spelled or) = ɔr
(world = wзrld → əwɔrl = uhwawrl’)
• зr (spelled ir) = ir
(girl = gзrl → girl = geerl) [preferred for Mexican]
• This can also be (girl = gзrl → khirl = kheerl) instead.
• зr (spelled ur) = ur
(curb = kзrb → kurb = koorb)
Consonant Changes
Often two adjacent consonant sounds are separated by the aspirate ə. This sound is light and never forced. We hardly hear this sound.
(bullfight = bʊlfaɪt → buləfaiː = bool-uhfaheeːt)
(waterway = wɔtзrwe → əwotɛrəwɛ = uhwoh-tehr-uhweh)
When two similarly produced consonants are together, the weaker one is generally dropped.
This same rule applies when a word ends with a consonant and the next word starts with another.
(bookcase = bʊkkes → bukɛsː = book-’ehss)
(big kite = bɪg kaɪt → bi kaiːt = bee’ kaheeːt)
If two consonants are together at the end of a word, the final consonant may be dropped.
(homeland = homlænd → xoməlæn = khohm-uhlan’)
• b used in the middle of a word = bv (except when it preceded by m or n) Lips are slightly open for the b sound with the lower lip protrudes.
(husband = hʌzbənd → khɔsːəbvɑn = khawss-uhbvaahn’)
(bonbon = bɑnbɑn → bɔnəbɔn = bawn-uhbawn)
• Hard c = k (no change)
(cough = kɔf = kawf)
• Soft c = sibilant s
(dance = dænsː = danss)
• d = d It is not dental as it is in Spanish
(dead = dɛd → deːd = dayːd)
• Final d may be dropped when it’s preceded by a consonant
(band = bænd → bæn’= ban’)
• Normal hard g remains the same
(gone = gɔn = gawn)
• g before letters e and i may sometimes = gutteral kh
(gift = gɪft → khif = kheef’)
• Soft g (dʒ) = zh (ʒ)
(ridge = rɪdʒ → rɪʒ = reezh)
• g is normally dropped in an ɪŋ ending
(morning = mɔrnɪŋ → mɔrənin = mawr-uhneen’)
• h at the beginning of a word is often dropped
(honor = ɑnзr → ɔnɔr =’aw-nawr)(home = hom → om =’ohm)
• h either at the beginning of a word or in the middle may = kh. This is a kind of gargle sound, but the uvula doesn’t vibrate.
(mishap = mɪshæp → misːəkhæp = meess-uhkhap)
• Soft j (dʒ) usually = tch (tʃ), unlike the Spanish dialect.
(project [noun] = prɑdʒɛkt → prɑtʃeːk = praah-tchayːk’)
• When final le is preceded by a consonant, le = ul (fable = febl → fɛbvul = feh-bvool)
• Initial q = kəw
(quick = kwɪk → kəwik = kuhweek)
• r is trilled. It is not dropped. Breath causes the tongue tip to tap lightly against the upper teeth ridge.
• s is sibilant and always pronounced as s (never z)
• Initial s is preceded by the aspirate ə, if the preceding word in the phrase has ended with a consonant sound.
(I walk slowly = aɪ wɔk slolɪ → aiː əwok əsːləli ɔ = aheeː uhwohk uh-ssuhlaw-lee)
• ʃ = tʃ in the Mexican dialect
(shall = ʃæl → tʃæl = tchal)
• t = t It is not dental as it is in Spanish
(take = tek → tɛk = tehk)
• When a final t is followed by a word beginning with d, the t is dropped
(that dog = ðæt dɔg → tæ dɔg = ta’dawg)
• Final t at the end of a word preceded by a consonant is dropped
(want = wɑnt → əwɑn = uhwaahn’)
• Mexican ð = t (not d ð)(The two words that follow do not follow all the rules.)
(the = ðə → te = tay) (these = ðiz → tesː = tayss)
• Mexican ɵ = t (not tɵ)
(think = ɵɪŋk → tink = teenk)
• v = bv (see b sound above)
(very = vɛrɪ → bveːri = bvayː-ree)
• When w is at the beginning of a word, the aspirate ə precedes it
(win = wɪn → əwin = uhween)
• Letter x = sː when it precedes a consonant
(extra = ɛkstrə → eːsːtrɑ = ayːss-traah)
• x usually = ks or gs between two vowels
(exorcise = ɛksɔrsaɪz → eːksːɔrəsːaiːsː → ayːk-ssawr-uhssaheeːss)
(example = ɪgzæmpl → igsːæmpul = eeg-ssam-pool)
• z = sibilant s
(fuzz = fʌ → fɔsː = fawss)
Italian
The Italian dialect is melodic. Words glide. The language is relaxed and spoken with an open throat. There is a greater range than in the usual American dialect, and most sentences begin about three or four notes higher than a typical American sentence. Emphasis on a word usually comes on the next-to-the-last syllable. In longer words of three or more syllables, the emphasis is likely to be on the first syllable, as well as the next to the last: antipASto = æntɪpɑsto → ɑːntipɑːstɔː = AAHːN-tee-PAAHːS-taw
In Italian, because most words end in vowels, Italians tend to connect words with a vowel. If the words end with a consonant, Italians are likely to tuck in the aspirate ə instead. Most vowels are elongated as well, but they are seldom split into diphthongs; they’re left as one long single vowel, gliding up or down the scale.
The Aspirate ə (uh)
The aspirate uh is not emphasized. An aspirate is actually just a little puff of air. (Think of the word “take” as pronounced by Americans. That little puff of air after the k is the aspirate ə.) The general rules for an Italian dialect are as follows.
1. An aspirate is usually used initially in words that start with r or w
(red = rɛd → əræːtə = uhraːtuh)
(wind = wɪnd → əwinə = uhween’uh)
2. It’s used medially between two consonants, usually only when the first consonant is r or l
(army = ɑrmɪ → ɑːrəmi = aahːruh-mee)
(although = ɔlðo → oːlədɔː = ohːluh-dawː)
3. It’s used at the end of a word after all consonant sounds (except ing) when the next word within a sentence begins with a consonant. If the following word begins with a vowel, the aspirate is not added to the final consonant sound.
(Feed the dog = fid ðə dɔg → fiːtə dəːgə = feeːtuh duh dohːguh)
(Feed Amy = fid emi → fiːt ɛːmi = feeːt ehː-mee
Vowel Changes
• i = iː
(beat = bit → biːdə = beeːduh)
• ɪ usually = iː
(with = wɪð → əwiːdə = uhweeːduh)
(milk = mɪlk → miːləgkə = meeːluhgkuh)
(lay = le → lɛː = lehː)
• ɛ = æː
(friend = frɛnd → fəræːnə = fuhraːn’uh
• æ usually = ɑː
(task = tæsk → tɑːsə = taahːs’uh) (bad = bæd → bɑːtə = baahːtuh)
• aɪ = ai ː
(right = raɪt → əraːidə = uhrahːeeduh) (mile = maɪl → maːilə = mahːeeluh)
• ɑ = ɑː
(father = fɑðзr → fɑːdə = faahː-duh)
• ɔ may = oː
(fall = fɔl → foːlə = fohːluh)(cough = kɔf → gkoːfə = gkohːfuh)
• Short letter o usually = ɔː
(body = bɑdɪ → bɔːdi = bawː-dee) (pot = pɑt → pɔːdə = pawːduh)
• Long letter o = ɔː
(bone = bon → bɔːnə = bawːnuh)(home = hom → ɔːmə = ’awːmuh)
• ʊ = uː
(good = gʊd → guːtə = gooːtuh)
(wolf = wʊlf → əwuːləvfə = uhwooːluhvfuh)
• u = uː
(food = fud → fuːtə = fooːtuh) (unit = junɪt → juːnidə = yooː-needuh)
• ʌ = ɒː
(love = lʌv → lɒːvə = loːvuh)(dumb = dʌm → dɒːmə = doːmuh)
• American ə (the letter a) may = ɑ
(parade = pəred → pɑrɛːtə = paah-rehːtuh)
(banana = bənænə → bɑnɑːnɑ = baah-naahː-naah)
• But not always:
(the = ðə → də = duh)
• American ə is sometimes dropped at the beginning of a word.
(alone = əlon → lɔːnə = ’lawːnuh)(ago = əgo → gɔː = ’gawː)
• з = ə
(girl = gɛrl → gərələ = guhruhluh)(nurse = nзrs → nərəsə = nuhruhsuh)
(her = hзr → ərə =’uhruh)
(work = wзrk → əwərəgkə = uhwuhruhgkuh)
Consonant Changes
• Soft c = s at the beginning of a word
(certain = sзrtn → sərətn = suhruh-t’n)
• Soft c may = z in the middle or at the end of a word
(nice = naɪs → naːizə = nahːeezuh)
• It is also changed to z when a vowel sound comes before and after the c
(process = prɑsɛs → prɑːzæːsə = praahː-zaːsuh)
• Hard c usually = gk (The k sound predominates.)
(cut = kʌt → gkɔdː ə = gkoːduh)
• Hard c may = g (only if the character is from Rome)
(clip = klɪp → gəliːpə = guhleeːpuh)
• d = dental d (pronounced with the tip of the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth)
• Final d sound may be changed to t when it’s preceded by a vowel sound
(red = rɛd → əræːtə = uhraːtuh)
• Final d preceded by another consonant is usually dropped
(friend = frɛnd → fəræːnə = fuhraːn’uh)
• Medial and final f may = vf (The f sound predominates.)
(uniform = junɪfɔrm → juːnivfoːrːəmə = yooː-nee-vfohːruhmuh)
(wolf = wʊlf → əwuːləvfə = uhwooːluhvfuh)
• h is dropped initially at the beginning of a sentence and often initially in the middle or end of a sentence (affecting the final consonant in the preceding word). Either:
(He went home = hi wɛnt hom → iː əwæːn ɔːmə = ’eeː uhwaːn’’awːmuh) or
(He went home = hi wɛnt hom → iːəwæːnə hɔːmə = ’eeː uhwaːn ’uh hawːmuh)
• h may be dropped in the middle of a word.
(unhappy = ʌnhæpɪ → ɒːnɑːpiː = oːn-’aahː-peeː)
• k = gk (The k sound predominates)
(quick = kwɪk → gkwiːgkə = gkweeːgkuh)
• k may = g (only if the character is from Rome)
(quick = kwɪk → gwiːgə = gweeːguh)
• l = dental l (pronounced with the tip of the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth)
• Medial l is usually followed by the aspirate uh when the l is followed by another consonant
(building = bɪldɪŋ → biːlədiːŋ = beeːluh-deeːng)
• Final l is dropped when the following word begins with an r
(Call Rita = kɔl ritə → gkoː riːtɑ = gkohː’ reeː-taah)
• n = dental n (tip of the tongue touches the back of the upper front teeth)
• p has a suggestion of a b sound
• r is always trilled
• Initial r is often preceded by the aspirate uh
(run = rʌn → ərɒːnə = uhroːnuh)
• If another consonant follows a medial r, the aspirate uh is inserted between the two
(permit = pзrmɪt → pərəmiːdə = puhruh-meeːduh)
• Final r is often dropped
(butcher = bʊtʃзr → buːtʃə = booː-tchuh’)
• Medial s = z when it comes between two vowel sounds
(baseball = besbɔl → bɛːzəboːlə = behːzuh-bohːluh)
• Final s usually = z when a final t is dropped, and s is then the last letter.
• Final s otherwise usually remains s
(west = wɛst → əwæːzə = uhwaːz’uh) (pass = pæs → pɑːsə= paahːsuh)
• t = dental t (tip of the tongue touches the back of the upper front teeth)
• Final t is usually dropped when it’s preceded by a consonant (especially n and s)
(fast = fæst → fɑːzə = faahːz’uh)
• Final t usually = d when the t is preceded by a vowel sound
(sit = sɪt → siːdə = seeːduh)
• The t may be dropped in some contractions
(That’s all right = ðtæ ɔl raɪt → dɑːzoːraːidə = daahː’zohː rahːeeduh
• ð = d
(they = ðe → dɛː = dehː)
• ɵ = t
(thin = ɵɪn → tiːnə = teeːnuh
• Initial w is preceded by the short aspirate ə
(won = wʌn → əwɒːnə = uhwoːnuh
• wh = w
(when = hwɛn → əwæːnə = uhwaːnuh)
• The letter x (ks or kʃ) usually = kəʃ or kəz
(luxury = lʌkʃərɪ → lɒːkəʃəriː = loːkuh-shuhreeː)
(six = sɪks → siːkəzə = seeːkuhzuh)(This final s sound is changed to z.)
• The letter x (gz) = gəs
(example = ɛgzæmpl → æːgəsɑːmpulə = aːguh-saahːm-pooluh
• z may = s
(his = hɪz → iːsə = ’eeːsuh)
• The letters zh (ʒ) remain the same, but usually the final зr becomes ə.
(pleasure = plɛʒзr → plæːʒə = plaː-zhuh)
Double Consonants
• The letters double c (ks) may = s
(accede = æksid → ɑːsiːt = aahː-seeːtuh)
• The letters double g (gdʒ) = the letter j (dʒ)
(suggest = sʌgdʒɛst → sɒːdʒæːzə = soː-jaːz’uh
• The letters double s (s) = s (never z) when sounded in American English as an s
(grass = græs → grɑːsə = graahːsuh)
• The letters double s (American ʃ) = ʃ
(passion = pæʃən → pɑːʃənə = paahː-shuhnuh
French
The dialect is complex. The Frenchman speaks briskly. He does not draw out his vowels. The speech is sharp, almost staccato. The pitch tends to be high. The melody rises and falls. Sentences may be broken into small groups of words with several words stressed. Frequently, the end of the sentence is emphasized. Within the word the last syllable is the one stressed most often.
Nasalized Vowels
Vowels are frequently nasalized. To get this quality think of the word long. Now say the first two letters only, letting the ng influence that vowel. The back of your tongue will close off the throat, and the sound will go up into the nasal passage-way. That’s the nasal sound you want.
The rules on nasalizing vowels:
1. Vowels are only nasalized preceding a single m or n, followed by another consonant, other than m or n.
(launder = lɔndзr → lɔdзr = law’-der)(romp = rɑmp → rɔp = raw’p)
• Words may also be nasalized when they end with m or n and no other words follow.
(I ate a bonbon = aɪ et ə bɑnbɑn → ai ɛ tɛ bɔbɔ = ahee eh teh baw’-baw’)
2. The m or n is dropped when the vowel is nasalized.
(found = faʊnd → fɑd = faah’d)
3. Exception: when a word ends with the letter n and the following word starts with a vowel, the n remains and the preceding vowel is not nasalized. This does not apply to the letter m.
(pan of fish = pæn ə fɪʃ → pɑn ə fiʃ = paahn uh feesh)
• Words with the letters an followed by another consonant, or the letters oun followed by another consonant, or en followed by another consonant = nasal ɑ (n is dropped)
(plant = plænt → plɑt = plaah’t)(pounce = paʊns → pɑs = paah’s)
(blend = blɛnd → blɑd = blaah’d)
• Words with the letters am or em followed by another consonant also = nasal ɑ (m is dropped)
(ramble = ræmbl → rɑblə = raah’-bluh)
(empire = ɛmpaɪr → ɑpair = aah’-pah-eer)
• Words with the letters aun, ion, om, on, and similar sounds = nasal ɔ (m or n is dropped)
(launch = lɔntʃ → lɔʃ = law’sh)(pomp = pɑmp → pɔp = paw’p)
• Words with the letters ain, im, in, ym, yn, and similar sounds usually = nasal ɛ (m or n is dropped). Words with the aɪ sound like pint, line, and crime are not affected by this nasalized vowel rule.
(paint = pent → pɛt = peh’t)(symbol = sɪmbl = sɛbɔl = seh’-bawl)
• Words with the letters um and un = nasal з (no r)(m or n is dropped). This rule does not apply to words with the ju sound (like unit).
(bump = bʌmp → bзp = buh’p) (blunder = blʌndзr → blзdзr = bluh’-duhr)
• Short words like fan, man, and am are normally not nasalized.
(man = mæn → mɑn = maahn)
Other Vowel Changes
• ɪ = i (a sharp sound with the corners of the mouth pulled back and the teeth almost together)
(pillow = pɪlo → pilɔ = pee-law)
• The letter i before m or n, followed by a consonant may = ɛ (see nasalized vowels)
(since = sɪns → sɛs = seh’s)
• e usually = ɛ
(maybe = mebɪ → mɛbi = meh-bee)
• ɛ = æ
(lesson = lɛsn → læzɔ = la-zaw’)
• ɛ before m or n (followed by another consonant) = ɑ (see nasalized consonants)
(bent = bɛnt → bɑt = baah’t)
• æ = short ɑ
(patter = pætзr → pɑtзr = paah-tuhr)
• aɪ = ai The American diphthong is broken into two separate sounds, ah-ee.
(nice = naɪs → nais = nahees)
• aʊ = ɑ
(mouse = maʊs → mɑs = maahs)(cow = kaʊ → kɑ = kaah)
• ɑ (spelled with an o) = ɔ
(lock = lɑk → lɔk = lawk)
• ɔɪ = ɔi These two sounds are separated, not run together
(oil = ɔɪl → ɔil = aweel)(noise = nɔɪz → nɔis = nawees)
• ɔl = ol
(fall = fɔl → fol = fohl)(shawl = ʃɔl → ʃol = shohl)
• Letter o (as in flow, go, sew, and fond, on, pot) = ɔ
(dough = do → dɔ = daw)(sew = so → sɔ = saw)
(on = ɒn → ɔ = aw’)
• o (as in cough, off) = ɔ as in the standard American dialect
• ʊ = з (no r)
(wolf = wʊlf → vзlf = vuh’lf)(should = ʃʊd → ʃзd = shuh’d)
• u (in words with the letter u only, sounding like blue, prune) = French u (ʉ) The mouth purses as if to say the u sound as in food but pronounces the i sound as in ee instead.
(blue = blu → blʉ = bloo/ee)
• The u sound as in food is pronounced with the American u.
(food = fu = foo’)
• ju (in u words only like unit, cute) = jʉ The mouth purses as if to say the ju as in unit but pronounces ji (yee) instead.
(unit = junɪt → jʉnit = yoo/ee-neet)
• Words using the ju symbol that aren’t spelled with simply the vowel u and a consonant like those given earlier (beauty, new, you) = American ju
(few = fju = fyoo)
• ʌ = з (no r)
(bug = bʌg → bзg = buh’g)
• ə may = æ (initial ə), or ɛ (especially in the word: a and with the letters: ain), or ɔ (especially letters: on or ion), or i (see nasalized vowels)
(alone = əlon → ælɔ = a-law’)
(contain = kənten → kɔtɛ = kaw’-teh’)
(fashion = fæʃən → fɑsjɔ = faah-syaw’)
(possible = pɑsəbl → pɔziblə = paw-zee-bluh)
Consonant Changes
French Glide Rule:
• If a word ends with the sound of a voiced consonant and the next word in the same related phrase begins with a vowel, the consonant is carried over.
(I feel it = aɪ fil ɪt → ai fi lit = ahee fee leet)
• b may = p in the middle of a word before any consonant sound except b, d, hard g, m, n, and ng
(observe = əbzзrv → ɔpsзrv = awp-serv)
• d is pronounced with the tip of the tongue against the rear of the lower front teeth.
• d may be dropped at the end of a word (unless it’s followed by a vowel or unless a consonant is dropped immediately before the d)
(sad = sæd → sɑ = saah’)(rode = rod → rɔ = raw’)
(found = faʊnd → fɑd = faah’d)(red car = rɛd kɑr → ræ kɔr = ra’kawr)
• Final d may be changed to t if the following word begins with a vowel
(bad emu = bæd imju → bɑ timjʉ = baah tee-myoo/ee)
• Final f may = v when the following word begins with a vowel sound
(half a pint = hæf ə paɪnt → ɑ və pain =’aah vuh paheen’)
• Final g = k if the following word begins with a vowel
(bag it = bæg ɪt → bɑ kit = baah keet)
• The soft letter g (dʒ) = zh (ʒ)
(page = pedʒ → pɛʒ = pehzh)
• Initial or medial h is usually dropped
(he has heart = hi hæz hɑrt → i ɑs ɑr = ee aahs aahr’)
• ɪŋ at the end of a word, used as a participle, is not nasalized and = ing
(walking = wɔkɪŋ → vɔkiŋ = vaw-keeng)
• The letter j (dʒ) = zh (ʒ)
(job = dʒɑb → ʒɔb = zhawb)
• Final l sound preceded by a weak vowel (as in babble, people) = lə
(table = tebl → tɛblə = teh-bluh) (The b is seen as final here, not medial.)
• See Nasalized Vowels for changes in the consonants m and n
• The letter r is always pronounced.
There are two uses of the letter r in the French dialect:
1. In Paris and the major French cities the uvular r is used. A gargling sound is made with the uvula as the r is pronounced.
2. In the French countryside the lingual r is trilled with the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
• Initial s is pronounced as it is in American English.
• Medial s is pronounced as z when it comes between two vowels
(possible = pɑsəbl → pɔziblə = paw-zee-bluh)
• Final s is always pronounced as s (even when Americans pronounce the letter as z)
(nose = noz → nɔs = naws)
• Medial ʃ when followed by the letter i = sj
(fashion = fæʃən → fɑsɔ = faah-syaw’)
• Final t may be dropped when it’s preceded by a consonant. If the preceding consonant is dropped, the final t is retained.
(contest = kɑntɛst → kɔtæs = kaw’-tas’)
(plant = plænt → plɑt = plaah’t)
• Final t may be carried over to the next word if that next word begins with a vowel
(go it alone = go ɪt əlon → gɔ i tælɔ = gaw ee ta-law’)
• ð (voiced th) = z
(the = ðə → zi = zee)(bathe = beð → bɛz = behz)
• ɵ (unvoiced th) = s
(bath = bæɵ → bɑs = baahs)
• tʃ = ʃ
(patch = pætʃ → pɑʃ = paahsh)
• Final v sound may = f when the following word begins with a vowel.
(brave emu = brev imju → brɛ fimjʉ = breh fee-myoo/ee)
• Letter w usually = v pronounced with the lips pursed and the tip of the tongue near the hard palate.
• ʒ = zj
(azure = æʒɛr → ɑzjʉr = aah-zyoo/eer)
(treasure = trɛʒɛr → træzjʉ = tra-zyoo/eer)
Russian
This is a Slavic language, and it’s related to languages spoken in the regions of Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and so on in eastern Europe. The language is generally low pitched with many guttural sounds. The tonal range is great. In words only one syllable is normally stressed. The Russian language does not make use of articles such as a, an, or the.
Addition of the Y Sound
The y sound (j in I.P.A.) is barely noticeable. The general, but not unbreakable, rules follow:
1. Add the y to the l sound when the l is followed by the Russian vowel sounds: i, ɪ, or ɛ.
(live [verb] = lɪv → ljif = lyeef)(leave = liv → ljɪf = lyif)
(lake = lek → lj ɛ k = lyehk)
2. Add the y to the n sound when the n is followed by the Russian vowel sounds: i, ɪ, ɛ, or æ.
(nix = nɪks → njiks = nyeex)(knead = nid → njɪtð = nyitth)
(nail = nel → njɛl = nyehl)(neck = nɛk → njæk = nyak)
3. Add the y to the sounds: d, t, or th (ð or ɵ) when they are followed by the Russian vowel sounds: i or ɪ.
(din = dɪn → dðjin = dthyeen)(still = stɪl → stːtðjil = sstthyeel)
(this = ðɪs = dðːjis = dthyeess)(thick = ɵɪk → tɵjik = tthyeek)
Vowel Changes
Vowels are often elongated.
• i = ɪ
(niece = nis → njɪsː = nyiss)
• When Russian ɪ begins a word, j (the y sound) may precede the ɪ.
(eat = it → jɪtð = yitth)
• ɪ = i
(milk = mɪlk → milk = meelk)
• e = ɛ
(break = brek → brɛk = brehk)
• ɛ = æ
(fed = fɛd → fætð = fatth)
• æ = ɑ
(laugh = læf → lɑf = laahf)
• aɪ = ai and gets more stress on the i sound (ahEE)
(price = praɪs → praisː = praheess)
• aʊ = ɑː
(cow = kaʊ → kɑː = kaahː)
• ɑ (letter a) = ɒ
(carving = kɑrvɪŋ → kɒrfink = kor-feenk)
(coil = kɔɪl → kɔil = kaweel)
• Short letter o or oʊ = ɔ
(rock = rɑk → rɔk = rawk)(bone = bon or boʊn → bɔn = bawn)
• ʊ = u
(good = gʊd → gutð = gootð)
• u = ʊ
(pool = pul → pʊ = puuhl)
• ju = jʊ
(cute = kjut → kjʊtð = kyuuhtth)
• ʌ = ɔ
(supper = sʌpзr → sːɔpɔr = ssaw-pawr)
• ə = ɑ
(parade = pəred → pɑrɛtð = paah-rehtth)
• зr usually = ɔr
(fern = fзrn → fɔrn = fawrn)(nurse = nзrs → nɔrsː = nawrss)
Consonant Changes
• Final b normally = p (curb = kзrb → kɔrp = kawrp). However, if the next related word begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, v, or z), then the b sound remains and is not changed
(Do not disturb Dan = du nɑt dɪstзrb dæn → dðʊ nɔdð dðjisːtðɔrb dðɑn = dthuuh nawdth dthyeess-tthawrb dthaahn)
• soft c = sibilant s
(ceiling = sɪlɪŋ → sːiljink = ssee-lyeenk)
• hard c = k
(colic = kɑlɪk → kɔljik = kaw-lyeek)
• Final hard c = g preceding a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(colic doesn’t = kɑlɪk dʌznt → kɔljig dðɔsːn = kaw-lyeeg dthaw-ssn’)
• d = dð (usually) Tip of tongue is placed right behind the cutting edge of the front upper teeth.
(deaf = dɛf → dðæf = dthaf)
• Final d = tð if the next related word begins with a voiceless consonant (f, k, p, s, sh, or t)
(food fight = fud faɪt → fʊtð faitð = fuuhtth faheetth)
• Final d = tð when it’s the last word in a sentence or a related group of words.
(He was scared = hi wɑz skɛrd → xɪ vwɒsː sːkærtð = khi vwosss skartth)
• d may be dropped at the end of a word when it’s preceded by another consonant, especially n
(wind [noun] = wɪnd → vwin = vween’)
• Normally, the letter f does not change to v
(of = ɑv → ɔf = awf)
• Final f = v when it precedes a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(cuff design = kʌf dɪzaɪn → kɪv dðjisːain = kawv dthyee-ssaheen)
(cuff link = kʌf lɪŋk → kɔf ljink = kawf lyeenk)
• Final hard g = k unless the next related word begins with voiced consonant (b, d, g, v, or z)
(dog toy = dɔg tɔɪ → dðɔg tðɔi = dthawk tthawee)
(dog groomer = dɔg grʊumɔr = dthawg gruuh-mawr)
• Soft g or j (dʒ) = tch (tʃ)
(fudge = fʌdʒ → fɔtʃ = fawtch)(jet = dʒɛt → tʃætð = tchatth)
• h = x (kh) The back of the tongue is raised to touch the uvula to produce this guttural, gargled sound like in the Scotch word loch or the German ach sound.
(somehow = sʌmhaʊ → sːɔmxɑː = ssawm-khaahː)
• For the letter j (dʒ), see g above.
• Final k = g preceding a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(quick dinner = kwɪk dɪnзr → kvwig dðjinɔr = kvweeg dthyee-nawr)
(break through = brek ɵru → brɛk tɵrʊ = brehk tthruuh)
• l = dark l only (as in the dark American l in bubble or label, as opposed to the clear American l in lift or bellow)
• See Addition of the Y Sound for rules about adding y to the l sound.
• See rules given earlier about adding y to the n sound.
• nk — both sounds are retained. There is no g sound
(sank = sæŋk → sːɑnk = ssaahnk)
• Final p = b preceding a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(soap dish = sop dɪʃ → sːɔb dðjiʃ = ssawb dthyeesh)
(sip tea = sɪp ti → sːip tðjɪ = sseep tthyi)
• q = kvw
(quest = kwɛst → kvwæsː = kvwass’) (See w.)
• r is deeply rolled with the tip of the tongue vibrating against the place where the upper front teeth and the roof of the mouth join.
• s is sibilant and held longer.
• Final s = z preceding a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(glass door = glæs dor → glɑz dðɔr = glaahz dthawr)
• t usually = dental tð. It’s pronounced with the tip of the tongue right behind the cutting edges of the front upper teeth.
(teeth = tiɵ → tðjɪtɵ = tthyitth)
• t may = ts, especially in words that begin with the letters tw
(twice = twaɪs → tsvwaisː = tsvwaheess)
• t may be dropped in the middle of a word, especially in words that end with the letters ty
(forty = fɔrtɪ → fɔri = faw-r’ee)
• Final t is usually dropped when it follows another consonant
(dust = dʌst → dðɔsː = dthawss’)
• Final t = dð preceding a related word that begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, or z)
(get down = gɛt daʊn → gædð dðɑːn = gadth dthaahːn)
• ð (voiced) = dental dð
(that = ðæt → dðɑtð = dthaahtth)
• ɵ (unvoiced) = dental tɵ
(thick = ɵɪk → tɵjik = tthyeek)
• Final v = f unless the following related word starts with a voice consonant (b, d, g, v, or z)
(dive now = daɪv naʊ → dðaif nɑː = dthaheef naahː)
(dive down = daɪv daʊn → dðaiv dðɑːn = dthaheev dthaahːn)
• w = vw The mouth is shaped for w, but you pronounce v instead. The lower lip does not touch the cutting edge of the upper front teeth
(wish = wɪʃ → vwiʃ = vweesh)
• Initial and medial z is used only when the word is spelled with a z. Otherwise an s sound is used.
(hazy = hezɪ → xɛzi = kheh-zee)
(has = hæz → xɑsː = khaahss)
• Final z = s unless the following related word begins with a voiced consonant (b, d, g, v, or z)
(sneeze loudly = sniz laʊdlɪ → sːnjɪsː lɑːdðlji = ssnyiss laahːdth-lyee)
(sneeze decisively = sniz dɪsaɪsɪvlɪ → sːnjɪz dðjisːaisːivlji = ssnyiz dthyee-ssahee-sseev-lyee)
• ʒ often = ʃ
(treasure = trɛʒзr → tðræʃɔr = tthra-shawr)
Japanese
The normal pitch of Japanese speaking is almost an octave above that of American English. Like the Chinese, the Japanese tend to separate the syllables of a word to pronounce them separately; although Japanese words are not overly emphasized, they have a clipped quality. There is little rise and fall in the range with only an occasional small change for emphasis of a key word. There may be a slight sharp intake of air through closed teeth during speaking. Sentences may start with Aw! In speaking the dialect, a stiff jaw and a partially closed mouth may help obtain the right sound. It’s this small mouth area that acts as a sounding chamber for the voice rather than the lower throat and upper nasal passages.
Use of the Aspirate ə (uh):
The Japanese ə is often used between two voiced consonants (airplane = ɛrplen → ærəpərɛn = aruh-puhrehn). It is also often used after the final voiced consonant in a word, especially if the next word begins with a consonant (bad break = bæd brek → bvɑdə bvərɛk = bvaahduh bvuhrehk). This is a very short sound, not a full ə, but only a whisp of air.
Vowel Changes
• i = ɪ
(needle = nidl → nɪdʊ = ni-duuh’)
• e = ɛ
(break = brek → bvərɛk = bvuhrehk)
(letter = lɛtзr → rætɑ = ra-taah’)(friend = frɛnd → fəræn = fuhran’)
• æ = ɑ
(laugh = læf → rɑf = raahf)
• aɪ = ɑɪ
(right = raɪt → rɑɪt = raahit)
• Short letter o = ɑ
(body = bɑdɪ → bvɑdɪ = bvaah-di)
• Long letter o = ɔ
(alone = əlon → ɑrɔn = aah-rawn)(sew = so → sɔ = ssaw)
• ʊ = u
(could = kʊd → kud = kood)(wolf = wʊlf → wuf = woo’f)
• ʌ = ɑ
(much = mʌtʃ → mɑtʃ = maahtch)
(country = kʌntrɪ → kɑnətərɪ = kaahnuh-tuhri)
• American ə = ɑ
(pacific = pəsɪfɪk → pɑsɪfɪk = paah-ssi-fik)
• зr = ɑ
(platter = plætзr → pərɑtɑ = puhraah-taah’)
Consonant Changes
• b = bv The lips are parted in position for b, but the lower lip does not touch the upper teeth.
(big = bɪg → bvɪg = bvig)
• Soft c = Japanese s (See Japanese s.)
(circle = sзrkl → sɑkʊ = ssaah-kuuh’)
• d may be dropped following another consonant
(mind = maɪnd → mɑɪn = maahin’)
• The Japanese f is pronounced by almost touching the upper lip with the lower lip and making a sound similar to the h in when. The lower lip does not touch the upper teeth as in an American f.
• The Japanese l is pronounced without touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth. The tip starts just above the back edge of the bottom front teeth and ends curling up just a bit.
• The sound is similar to an r sound, but it’s not an r sound.
• Final l sound may be dropped and replaced by ʊ
(babble = bæbl → bvɑbvʊ = bvaah-bvuuh’)
• However, when the letter l is not followed by a silent e, it’s often changed to an r, especially in words ending in double l.
(pull = pʊl → pur = poor)
• r is never trilled or rolled.
• Final r sound is dropped.
(her = hзɪ → hɑ = haah’)(letter = lɛtзr → rætɑ = ra-taah’)
• Japanese s is a combination of s and sh, with the s overshadowing the sh sound. It’s formed by shaping the mouth for sh and hissing s instead
(sand = sænd → sɑn = ssaahn’)
• ʃ (sh) has a bit of the Japanese s sound in it.
• tʃ (tch) is less forceful than the American version and is also colored by the Japanese s sound.
• ð = Japanese s
(they = ðe →s ɛ = sseh)
• ɵ = Japanese s
(math = mæɵ → mɑs = maahss)
• v = bv
(vase = ves → bvɛs = bvehss) (See b.)
• x (ks) usually = Japanese s
(fix = fɪks → fɪs = fiss)
• z = Japanese s plus Japanese ə
(haze = hez → hɛsə = hehssuh)
• ʒ = Japanese s
(azure = æʒзr → ɑsɑ = aah-ssaah’)
To Learn More
By now you should have a good working knowledge of I.P.A. and, by using it, a basic knowledge of eleven different dialects. If you have a good ear, an excellent way to learn dialects is by listening to others who came from the country in question. Some countries (such as China) have a great many regional dialects. Beware of regional dialects if you wish to learn a more standard version of a country’s dialect. Record your subject or, better yet, record two or three different people and compare. Listen for range and melody. If you’ve practiced I.P.A., you’ll be able to accurately and quickly write the dialect down for later reference. There are plenty of dialect CDs or tapes available online or at Samuel French bookstores, or listen carefully to a classic film or TV show with a character that uses the dialect you need to learn. These may be less technically accurate, but they are the dialects we’re used to hearing. There are good books available as well. If you’re really serious about dialects, some study of the actual foreign language will give you a better insight about that dialect. Of course in the major entertainment cities, dialect coaches are available for hire.
Practice Copy
Padilla Armadillo
(Use a Southern accent. Bring in a Texas flavor, if you wish.)
My name’s Padilla. I’m an all American Armadillo. Honey, I was born’n bred in Texas … home grown in the U.S. of A. and proud of it! Yeh-haw! These days I work construction. I come equipped with my own hard hat. I like working outside in the fresh air. I do miss the open range. But I’druther dodge them nails than them big rigs on the highway any day. Before I go, let me give you some good advice. Don’tcha never be afeard a dressin’up fancy for some man. You make him treat you right! But most of all, remember, there’s a big difference between being home on the range and being tied to the range. Now my shell’s hard as a brandin’iron, honey. But my heart … It’s got the sizzle! Yeh — ha-ha-ha-ha!
Benton the Butler (British)
Shall I ask the driver to bring the motor car around, ma’am? Would you prefer to use the Rolls or the Land Rover? Wilda has the wee ones sorted out … Enjoy your holiday!
Smokey the Chimney Sweep (Cockney)
The bloke done the job proper like. But when Henry tried to collect, the old lady comes to the door bloody well drowned in soot! Blimey!
Lachlan the Leprechaun (Irish)
Look at me boy! Don’t you be givin’me top o’the morning! It hasna’rained in days, so I canna’find me pot o’gold.
Taj the Monkey (East Indian)
I never beg. That is for the lower classes. A monkey is a maharaja on the temple grounds here. Every day is festival day. I chant my thanks to Hanuman, the merciful god of monkeys.
FiFi Poodle (French)
But, oui monsieur! I dance the can-can for you for the petit soup bone. Ooh la la! I love the soup bone!
Bonita the Jumping Bean
(Use a Spanish dialect first. Change to a Mexican dialect.)
Si senor, I love to jump! This way and that way … I like to play all day … Olay! I say Olay!
Olga Oldenvitch (Russian)
Da. I live good life. Was skater in Olympics, was sweetheart, was mother, was diplomat. I be old now. I like good bowl borsch. I like little glass vodka. I want nothing more. Nothing else.
Karate Kiyohki (Japanese)
Aw! Not to do, please. That is my mother’s best bonsai. Fight-fight better outside. Then we not to make trouble.
Oily Olivia the Snake
(Use a Brooklyn dialect first. Change the wording if it doesn’t feel quite right. Then read it with an Italian accent. Now try to combine the two.)
Sss’never sspeak to Oily Olivia without resspect! Sso now, you wissh that I put on the ssqueeze? Scertainly! My girls will juss’sslither on over, sshake their rattless, and hiss the kiss of death!
Exercises
1. Ask someone in class to dictate a sentence in English … any sentence. Ask a volunteer to write out that sentence on the blackboard in I.P.A. You can refer to your book at first.
2. Ask someone to read a sentence in a foreign dialect. Don’t identify the dialect. Let a volunteer write out that sentence in I.P.A. It’s okay to listen to the sentence again as it’s being written. What dialect is it?
3. Start a notebook, file, or computer file of dialects. Include notations about the dialect and how it differs from standard American English. Be sure that you include differences in vowels and consonants. Include any copy you find that you can read for practice. If possible, include recordings of the dialect.
4. Write practice copy for yourself, or find more copy you can use.
5. Study a new dialect.
6. Watch old films with dialects. Try to imitate the sounds. Can you identify the changes?
7. Practice different r’s. Do some research. In addition to the American r, there are trilled r’s, unvoiced trilled r’s, retracted r’s, etc.
8. Get more flexibility in your uvula by gargling first. Then try making the same sound without the water by saying rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Add a vowel in the middle of the r sound.