Q&A for How to Speak With a Bostonian Accent

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Is the proper pronunciation of U-turn "ewey" or "uwey"?

Community Answer

U-ey. Think of how you would pronounce the letter "u" and add "ey" to the end. In Boston, "Make a U-Turn" is "Bang a U-ey."

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How do you say "sister" with a Boston accent?

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"sister" = "sistah". Any word ending in "er" can have that ending replaced with the "ah" sound.

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How do you say "sure" in a Boston accent?

Community Answer

"Shouhhr." Simply elongate the "U" part and drop out the "R" with an "H" sound.

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Question

How would I say monster?

Community Answer

MON-stah. Just drop the "r" like explained in Step One, and pronounce the "e" like "ah".

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Question

How would I pronounce "janitor" with a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

In this case, the word "janitor"="janitah"; although the 'or' may seem confusing, it's still an "r" sound and can be replaced with the "ah" sound.

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Question

How do you say " float like a butterfly sting like a bee" in a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

Elongate your O's, I's, A's and E's, and drop your R's.

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Question

How do I say "sweater" with this accent?

Community Answer

"Swuueddeh." Say the "swea" part swiftly and drag out the "ter" part.

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Question

How would I say "lobster"?

Community Answer

"LAWB-stuh." Make the "O" sound like a low-hard "aw" sound, then loosely end the "er" with an "uh" sound.

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Question

How do I say "Fenway Park"?

Community Answer

"Fenway Pahk." You go there to see " the Sawx."

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Question

How do I say "are" in a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

Loosen the 'r' with an 'h' sound. It should sound like you're saying "ahhh" hard.

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Question

How do I say "hello" with a Boston accent?

Community Answer

Make the "ĕ" sound with an "uh" sound. It should sound like this: "Huhlo," emphasis on the "huh."

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Question

How would I say 'exactly'?

Community Answer

Make a strong emphasis on the "E" sound, another on the "XA" part, loose on the "CT" sound and then end it swiftly with "LY". So altogether it should sound roughly like "EG-ZAch-Lee."

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Question

How do you say "sorry"?

Community Answer

"SAHHr-ree." Emphasize on the "SOR" part and replace the "OR" sound with a hard "AH" noise. Also try to add a quick and soft "R" noise after that and then just let it end with a soft "REE."

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Question

How do I say "happy birthday?"

Community Answer

It would sound the same, without even dropping the R.

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Question

How do I say "bird" in Southie?

Community Answer

"Burd". You would elongate the "u".

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Question

How do I say "Darcy" with a Boston accent?

Community Answer

Darcy would sound like "DAH-cy." Replace the "R" with an "AH" sound.

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Question

How do I say "walking"?

Community Answer

Not particularly different than you would anywhere else. Use the awe sound, as in, "Awe, she's so cute!" Just put the W in front and drop the G at the end. You get "wawekin'."

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Question

Do Bostonians say "Bwaston" when referring to their city?

Community Answer

Yes, as a local Bostonian with many years of Boston English experience, I can confirm for a fact that you would indeed say BAW Stuhn.

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Question

How to would I say 'Happy Birthday' with a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

As someone born in Boston, raised 20 minutes away, I don't this this phrase would sound distinctive in the Bostonian accent.

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Question

What do Bostonians call their grandparents?

Community Answer

In Bostonian, grandpa could be gramp while grandma could be pronounced as grammah or gammy.

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Question

How do I pronounce "from" with a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

It is said more quickly, and you would replace the O with a U ("frum").

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Question

How do I say butter in a Boston accent?

Community Answer

For a Boston accent, to say butter, you would drop the r and say "betta." If asking for melted butter, you would say a long drawn out "butter."

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Question

How do I say Marsha in a Boston accent?

Community Answer

Just say, Masha. Although you would usually drop an "r" if it's at the end, it can be dropped in the middle too (just not always).

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Question

How can I say "have to"?

Community Answer

Have to, Havetah. Or have to depending on the context. I have to get my taxes done translated to "Bobbies gonna havetah covah the bihl for these beehs"

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Question

How do I say recently with a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

Basically the normal way but with an extremely soft T sound. Almost like saying "reesenly."

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Question

How do I pronounce "character" in a Bostonian accent?

Community Answer

Ka-rik-tuh. You don't drop r's from the middle of words, so the only change is the final 'er' to a 'uh' sound.

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