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Hear "Is"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say is the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it slide into ee-uhs - one syllable that almost feels like two - or stretch fully into two syllables in slower speech. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.

#SouthernAccents   #CommonFunctionWords

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to each clip a few times. Start with a light "ee," glide into "uh" before the "s." Keep it compressed for the short form, or stretch it a bit for the long form. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "is"?
In casual speech you’ll hear "ee-uhs" (compressed), and in slower or emphatic speech the same "ee-uhs" stretched to two syllables.
Is one more Southern than the other?
Both occur across the region. The clipped form shows up in faster speech, the stretched form in slower or more deliberate talk.
How can I practice?
Start with a clear "is," then glide from "ee" into "uh" before the "s." Keep it short for fast talk, stretch it for slower talk.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 29). Is. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/is
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Is." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/is.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Is." HillbillySlang.com. September 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/is.

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.

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