“Name’s Frank Bilders. I’ll be your skipper today.”
In this video, we’re analysing the Northern Irish accent of
Frank Bilders. He’s a character from the popular video game, Far Cry 2. An ex-IRA member,
hailing from Belfast who also spent a considerable period of time in the Maze Prison.
Of course, we’re looking at the voice actor playing Frank. I couldn’t actually find their
name and if any viewers could provide these details I would greatly appreciate that.
Also, thanks to Patrick Kolt for the suggestion, and providing today’s clips.
We’re using two clips which showcase (at least) four features of this wonderful accent
as well as one word that often crops up for those who are native to Belfast.
Have a listen and see how many you can identify:
“I’ve been waiting forever, like.”
“Won’t be serving refreshments I’m afraid but what
we will serve is a huge steaming pile of semi-auto weapons to the poor...”
First up, pay attention to how Frank says this word:
“Won’t be serving refreshments I’m afraid.”
In most English accent across the globe, as with all diphthongs,
there are two vowel sounds and the mouth therefore has to move - /eɪ/, as in AFRAID, AFRAID.
Due to the combination of two short monophthongs, your mouth should move so if you are saying this
‘correctly’ you should feel what most describe as a circular motion - /eɪ/ /eɪ/.
However, in Northern Ireland, we shorten this diphthong, as we do with many vowel sounds.
AFRAID, AFRAID.
Let’s compare, and notice the changes in your
mouth - proprioception is the key to mastering any unfamiliar accent.
AFRAID AFRAID AFRAID AFRAID
For some reason, this seems to be many people’s favourite Belfast feature.
Secondly, listen to the pronunciation of the letter /r/ in these 2 words:
“I’ve been waiting forever, like.”
“...but what we will serve...”
You will have noticed the clear pronunciation of the letter /r/
in both of these words. This is called rhoticity, the pronunciation of
/r/ in all contexts - there is huge variation across the whole English speaking world.
Some examples - Welsh English, Australian English and New Zealand English are usually defined as
non-rhotic, whereas Indian English, North American English and Irish English are usually as rhotic.
In any Northern Irish accent, the /r/ sound is pronounced
all the time, in all contexts. It is therefore rhotic.
Check out the difference, without, then with the /r/:
FOREVER FOREVER SERVE SERVE
For a more in depth look at this phoneme, as with all the characteristics in this video,
check out the playlist somewhere up here.
Thirdly, notice how the highlighted words are said:
“I’ve been waiting forever, like.”
“Won’t be serving refreshments I’m afraid but what we will serve is a huge steaming pile …”
For most this is seen as the simplest part of the Belfast accent to master.
That being said, it’s control of the position of the tongue that is absolutely critical.
Forward in Northern Ireland - /ɪn/ /ɪn/ - backwards in most other accents - /ɪŋ/ /ɪŋ/.
/ɪŋ/ /ɪn/ /ɪŋ/ /ɪn/
WAITING WAITIN’ SERVING SERVIN’ STEAMING STEAMIN’
For which other Northern Irish people would you like me to do an accent analysis? Comment below.
Next up, what’s going on with these three words:
“Won’t be serving refreshments I’m afraid but what we will serve…”
This subtle, yet distinct aspect of Frank Bilders character is called the final plosive
/t/. Plosives are consonants which consist of two phases and they can be physically described,
and thus located.
This is perhaps one of the features that non-native actors focus less on,
and therefore kind of mess up. To someone from Northern Ireland this is a complete
giveaway that the actor has done a less than satisfactory performance, unfortunately.
In most accents, the two phases of the final plosive /t/ are first,
the stop phase - putting the tip of your tongue against the back of your top front teeth, and
holding it briefly, before, secondly, the release phase, releasing the air - /t/ /t/.
Now, in the Belfast accent you lift your tongue to the same position, as if to produce
both of the two phases, however, you stop, flatten it out and don’t actually
‘complete’ the sound - the release phase is curtailed you could say.
Listen to the differences, have a go yourself and pay crucial attention to the release phase,
what your tongue is doing and the explosion of air.
WON’T BUT WHAT WON’T BUT WHAT
The most common error here is actually to go too far by dropping your jaw
so that your tongue isn’t even in play at all; make sure you don’t fall for this common mistake.
Check out this oft-used word in the Northern Irish vernacular:
“I’ve been waiting forever, like.”
It’s usually just plonked at the end of sentences, carrying absolutely no meaning, like.
Now, it would be remiss of me not to comment on the quality of the voice actor’s performance.
From the clips we’ve used today and the others that I’ve watched I am extremely
impressed with this performance, and can see no clear giveaways of him being a non-native.
I’d be interested, I’d be extremely interested to know his native accent. If anybody is able
to provide those details that would be greatly appreciated.
Now, to watch an analysis of the delightful Carnlough accent of Brendan Rodgers
head over here.
Thanks so much for watching and I look forward to seeing you next time.