Hear "Airport"in a Southern Accent

Across the South, airport keeps its two syllables but softens the middle, letting the vowels glide and open. You’ll often hear ay-uhr-po-urht /ˈeəɹ.pɔɹt/ ~ /ˈɛɚ.pɔɹt/ in lighter speech, or a deeper urh-po-urht /ˈɚ.pɔɚt/ ~ /ˈɜɹ.pɔɹt/ out in the country - both smooth, relaxed, and rhotic.

#SouthernAccents #TravelandLocation

Variations

As you move out into the country. [urh-po-urht] /ˈɚ.pɔɚt/ ~ /ˈɜɹ.pɔɹt/ - more grounded vowel, "port" nearly two syllables, still keeps the R strong.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start wide on "ay" or "uhr," keep the R present but soft, and let the vowels roll together - almost like one long breath. Southerners stretch "air" into a glide and give "port" a touch of warmth.

Kin Topics

Travel and Location

Common Questions

Why does "airport" sound smoother in Southern speech?

The drawl widens the vowels and links them with an easy glide, turning sharp breaks into softer transitions.

Which version is more common?

"Ay-uhr-po-urht" appears more often in cities and towns, while "urh-po-urht" shows up in rural or mountain regions.

How can I practice?

Say "airport" slowly and let the middle of the word breathe - don’t clip the vowels. Keep the R strong but never harsh.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 16). Airport. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/airport
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Airport." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/airport.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Airport." HillbillySlang.com. October 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/airport.

Regional Note

Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.