How to Speak With a Fake Italian Accent

Last Updated: April 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Whether it is for acting, or just to pull a prank at some friends, this article will instruct you how to re-create an Italian accent!

Things You Should Know

Start by modifying your vowels: a sounds like "ah," e sounds like "eh," i sounds like "ee," and u sounds like "oo."
Elongate double consonants in words like "azzurro," "pollo," etc. For example, you'd pronounce "better" as "bet-ter" rather than "bedder."
Speak in very simple English phrases to create the illusion that you aren't fluent in English.
End questions with "no?" to sound like an Italian native.

Steps

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1
Start by modifying your vowels. Italian vowels are different than English vowels, and each letter stands distinctly as one sound. ^{[1]
X
Research source} It may sound complicated, but it isn't.
- A sounds like the ä in "Father"
- E is pronounced like è in "Vendor"
- I like ï in "Naive"
- U is ù as in "Goo".
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Many Italians have some difficulty in pronouncing the English "th", and so pronounce it as either "t" (as in "Think"), or "d" (as in "The"), respectively. ^{[2]
X
Research source}

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Since you are pretending to be a foreigner your working knowledge of the vocabulary would not be complete.
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In Italian, words such as "Azzurro", "Pollo", or other words with double consonants are pronounced twice as long as single consonants. ^{[3]
X
Research source} Thus, it would be "Bet-ter" and not "bedder".
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This is an optional step, and obviously not done every time. The Italian language uses it, and thus, Italians are familiar with it. Example: "You are going later, no?"
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^{[4]
X
Research source}
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7
Occasionally mistake certain sounds. Be careful with this one, as too much of it will make you pretentious! But if you want to, remember this:
- GL is LL (as in "Million")
- GN is ñ (as in "Canyon")

Community Q&A

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Question

What if I want to speak the language?

Community Answer

Learn the language first, and then you can start adding the accent. You can also learn the language and the accent at the same time.

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Question

What if I don't live near Italians?

Community Answer

You can talk to Italian people online, watch Italian videos or take Italian lessons.

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Question

How do I say boyfriend?

Community Answer

You pronounce "boy" as you would in English, except you exaggerate the "o". The "friend” becomes “fren”, with a subtle “d” sound. To make the subtle “d” sound, curve your tongue upward rather than downward in pronunciation.

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Tips

Observe real Italians. This is by far the easiest way to improve your skills. Watch films with Italians and follow their speech patterns.

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Make sure your "o" does not have a w sound at the end. Make your mouth into an o, start making the sound of an o, and then stop.

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To give your accent a comical feel, you can watch Roary the Racing Car and pay special attention to Maxi and Mr. Carburettor, as they both speak with a comically thick Italian accent.

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Warnings

Do not exaggerate too much! As "Italian" as you may sound, exaggeration will only result in incomprehensible speech.

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Never try to fool the native speakers. Italians will instantly mark you negatively.

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Italian people may get offended. Use with caution.

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Use responsibly. For example, read this article to prepare for a theater play.

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How to Speak With a Fake Italian Accent

Things You Should Know

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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