Q&A for How to Talk Like a Stereotypical New Yorker

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Is a Brooklyn accent different from a Manhattan accent?

Community Answer

Quite different. Brooklyn is the typical "New York" accent that you hear on TV shows and movies. Manhattanites don't have a distinctive accent, but they do talk faster than most Americans.

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Is "oiy vay " a New Yorker term?

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It's a Yiddish term, which is often associated with NYC because of the city's high Jewish population.

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Do New Yorkers always end a question with "right"?

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Not always. Each individual has his/her own way of ending a question. Some end with "huh"; some even end with a mere "hmm."

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Question

How do I get my New York accent back?

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Just practice as much as possible and try to talk to people then it will just become habit.

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Question

How does an average New Yorker talk?

Community Answer

New Yorkers speak quickly, confidently and loudly. We tend to add an extra "r" to words that usually don't need it (like idea would became idea^r) and lots more, but it's kind of hard to explain. We also tend to add the word "yeah" after questions, e.g: "It's hot out here, yeah?"

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Question

How do you say "Argentina"?

Community Answer

It could be pronounced: "Ah" "Gen" "Tea" "Nah", based off this particular article.

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Question

I'm a young actress and I'm auditioning for the chorus in Bugsy Malone. We have to sing the song "Bad Guys" for our audition, but I don't know how to sing in a New York accent. How do I do it?

Community Answer

Sing low and deep, either choose opera or jazz, don't go half way. Remember to keep the singing low and confident.

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How can I get a Brooklyn accent while off a script?

Community Answer

Margot Robbie from suicide squad said that her vocal teacher told her to chose a monologue, and while acting it or reading it aloud she was to pretend that she had acrylic nails on and they'd just been painted. She said that the accent came naturally to her. This was for her audition for The Wolf Of Wall Street.

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How can I say the world "darling" with a New York accent?

Community Answer

It would be pronounced "DAH-lin" but the A should sound slightly like the A in "cat."

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Question

How do I say the words "fertile," "understand," and "guy" with this accent?

Community Answer

You would say "fuhtil," "unda-stand," and "ghY" to do a New York accent.

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How do I learn a New York accent quickly?

Community Answer

Just practice non-stop. There's really no other way. The more you do it, the easier it will get.

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Question

How is "murder" pronounced when talking like a stereotypical New Yorker?

Community Answer

It's pronounced "muh-duh," and say it with a sluggish undertone for a New York accent.

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Question

How do I sound like a New Yorker if I'm from Africa?

Community Answer

While this could be quite challenging, accents are just all the little ways we pronounce our words. Focus on the shapes your mouth is making and how that affects the sound coming out. This article has a lot of tips and tricks to consciously change the way you pronounce the words by asking you to make certain sounds, which you know how to do with your accent. The best thing you can do is practice.

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Question

Which terms are more common in New York?

Community Answer

A common one is "Forget about it!" You could also say "Florida" or "Talking." Another common one is, "Hey! I'm talking here!"

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Question

How do New Yorkers say hello?

Community Answer

Say "hey" instead of "hello" or "hi". Make sure you say it quickly.

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Question

I need to get an accent for my musical. I am playing Mrs Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. I can't really learn from reading rules and applying them and no one around me speaks in Brooklyn. Who to I do?

Community Answer

I've been working on an accent for a musical also, and I've found watching my mouth in a mirror helps. Often when doing the accent, your lips will pucker. Mine scrunches up on the right side of my face. So, watching while you speak helps a lot. Also, doing overly dramatic facial expressions helps.

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