   Hear "You"in a Southern AccentUs Southerners don’t always say you the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll hear it slide a bit - yu-oo, yu-uh, or ye-uh - all blended into one syllable that almost feels like two. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences. Variations1) This one is almost ya /jɛə/. 2) This one is almost ye /jɛə/. Example Audio in Sentences1) Who did? You did? /juː/ ~ /jʉu̯/ 2) I'll give it to you. /juə/ ~ /jʊə/ 3) I gave it to you. /jɛə/ Say It Like a Southerner
Regional NoteSouthern 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. | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more... |
Listen to each clip a few times. Start with a light "y" sound, then let the vowel glide: yu-oo (hold the "oo"), yu-uh (slide toward a soft "uh"), and ye-uh (start with "yeh," then relax). Keep it one syllable that almost splits into two.