Q&A for How to Imitate a Texan Accent

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  • Question
    How do I pronounce "girl"?
    Community Answer
    I'm a Texan and I pronounce it "grr-earl." Just make a short "grr" sound, followed by "earl."
  • Question
    Is Texan a language?
    Community Answer
    No, Texan is not a language.
  • Question
    Do Texans drive cars or ride horses?
    Community Answer
    Texans drive cars. Some Texans can ride horses, but that's by no means the majority means of transportation.
  • Question
    Why do people think that everybody who lives in Texas has a Texan accent?
    Community Answer
    This conception may stem from TV and movies depicting Texans as cowboys on horseback and speaking in a stereotypical Texan accent. It's also likely the case than many people don't realize the number and complexity of Texan regional accents, and think that there's a single accent for the entire state.
  • Question
    How do I say "why"?
    Community Answer
    In order to say "why" in a Texan accent, make the beginning "wa-" sound like you make when you say "water", but with more of a "whaa-" sound.
  • Question
    How long does it take to master the Texan accent?
    Community Answer
    It would probably take at least a few months, but it also depends on how much exposure you have to people with that accent.
  • Question
    Is "isn't" in Texan "idnit?"
    Community Answer
    Depending on the region, a Texan would probably still say "isn't," but pronounce the opening "i" sound more in the back of their mouth than in most other American accents.
  • Question
    How do I pronounce Nashville?
    Community Answer
    Nash-veel is about right. Find a YouTube video about Nashville and listen to the pronunciation.
  • Question
    How do I convince my friend there is water in Texas? She doesn't think there is any!
    Community Answer
    Get her to go to Texas or show her photos and videos. There are plenty of images online you can show her. If she remains unconvinced, then she's probably winding you up, so just call her bluff and refuse to keep going on about it.
  • Question
    Is it true that since everything is bigger in Texas that there isn't a word for "small" in the Texan language?
    Community Answer
    No, that's just a kind of joking myth. Plenty of Texans still say "small", but if you're trying to imitate a more 'heart of Texas' kind of old country person, try using a colloquialism such as 'litt'l ol' thang' or "just a mite of a _____".
  • Question
    How do you say 'six white horses' in a Texan accent?
    Community Answer
    Give it one of those 'syrupy sweet drawls' and draw it out- 'six' becoming more of a 'sex'/'saix' or even a 'si-yux', 'white' becoming more 'Wyatt' and horses 'Texasing' into 'hosses' or maybe 'houses', perhaps even 'hor-sayez'.
  • Question
    How do I say shepherds and forever with a Texas accent?
    Community Answer
    “Shep-urd” and “fer-ever.” In my part of Texas we say the words “four” and “for” differently. Four has more ohhh sound and anything with “for” is said like “fur.”
  • Question
    How would you say "property" and "barn" with a Texan accent?
    Community Answer
    Many Texans would say "PRAH-pretty" and "bairn." Just follow the instructions in the article.
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