How many accents are there in america

We explore what these accents sound like, where they come from and what they can mean for both individual and cultural identity. Try Babbel. Toggle Menu. Ready to learn? Pick a language to get started!

So, today, we are going to dive into the most distinctive American accents we will explain how you can recognize them. Start learning American English with our free trial classes!

Until the last century, the Midwestern accent used to be quite homogenous throughout the region. Today, however, if somebody tells you that they have a Midwestern accent, you could imagine many different voices in your head. As you can see, even within regional accents, it is easy to find many variations.

Where can you find this accent? Also, in Midland American, some vowels are pronounced with the tongue closer to the front of the mouth than in any other region. This accent can be found in western New York and the cities and town surrounding the Great Lakes. Although this is the accent of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Minnesota, it is more frequently associated with the latter. Like with most American accents, the most salient marker of this variety is the way people say their vowels.

Take diphthongs, for example. Are you looking for an example of this American accent? Gnarly wave! From Keanu Reeves to the Ninja Turtles, the surfer and skateboarder accent of California is now ubiquitous around the world, used often by laid-back youths. Those who have seen the film Clueless will be familiar with this accent. More subtly, the Californian accent is similar to the Southern accent, as migrants during the Dust Bowl era of American history settled in Southern California. Researchers from Stanford University study the Californian accent.

It is a mix of multiple languages formed during Hawaii's plantation era during which Europeans, Asians and Americans interacted with the locals. And while Hawaiian Pidgin is like a different dialect, the sound of it still enters into the way proper English is spoken on the islands. Short documentary on the voice of Hawaii. Do you have a favourite American accent? How do they sound to you?