What’s the craic? In this series, we’ve seen terrible attempts from
non-natives to do the Northern Irish Accent.
“Look at the state of you, you big girl’s blouse!”
“They’re gone!”
And we’ve analysed understandably excellent attempts from native Northern Irish speakers.
“How? How is it still sticky?”
“When she cries, her tears then make rain.”
So now in this video, we’re going to look in detail at Natascha’s outstanding yet non-native Northern Irish accent as she plays Deirdre, an IRA operative, in the 1998 film, Ronin.
That’s where they wanna do the exchange?
If this is your first time here, I’m Alister, an English teacher and Northern Irish
dialect coach. To know more about English, languages or accents, consider subscribing.
If like Natascha you’re serious about mastering your Northern Irish accent,
then contact me using the details in the description below.
Thanks to Ben for the video suggestion.
Our first feature is possibly the easiest way to make yourself sound more Northern Irish.
"We’re moving."
Listen again to this word.
"We’re moving."
This feature is the /ɪn/ rather than /ɪŋ/ sound in words ending in -ing.
To make this sound in British English, which Natascha uses, being from Surrey,
England, you lift the back of the tongue /ɪŋ/ /ɪŋ/
However, in Northern Irish English, which Natascha has absolutely mastered,
you lift the front of the tongue /ɪn/ /ɪn/
Notice how your tongue moves differently. /ɪŋ/ /ɪn/ /ɪŋ/ /ɪn/
Moving Movin’ We’re moving We’re movin’ Walking Walkin’ I enjoy walking. I enjoy walkin’
Having Havin’ Are you having a laugh? Are you havin’ a laugh?
Our second characteristic seems to be many people’s favourite for some reason.
"Can you find this place?"
"That information isn’t necessary."
"Alright, but I’m not under any obligation to let you know."
Pay attention to the diphthong /eɪ/ in the highlighted words.
Can you find this place?
That information isn’t necessary
Alright, but I’m not under any obligation to let you know
In Standard British English, as with all diphthongs,
the mouth has to move - there are two vowel sounds, as in PLACE /eɪ/ PLACE
However, in Northern Irish English, we shorten this sound, into one sound, PLACE.
PLACE vs. PLACE
Let’s compare the words Deirdre uses in the movie. You should
feel the different movement in your mouth.
INFORMATION INFORMATION
OBLIGATION OBLIGATION
If you want to practice this aspect of your Northern Irish accent,
practice saying these words on screen now.
EIGHT TRAIN ACE KATE
Again, kudos to Natascha - she smashes it and so can you!
Next up, we’ll consider this tricky feature.
"That’s where they wanna do the exchange?"
"The answers to your questions, I’ll know when I get back."
"Alright, but I’m not under any obligation to let you know."
"You’ll get your money when we get the case."
Notice the pronunciation of the /r/ sound at the end of these selected words.
"That’s where they wanna do the exchange?"
"The answers to your questions, I’ll know when I get back."
“under”
You’ll get your money”
Most accents in Great Britain, apart from those in the West Country, do not pronounce the /r/
sound at the end of words, they would use the schwa or a long vowel sound instead - WHERE
However, in Northern Irish English, the /r/ is always pronounced - WHERE
WHERE vs. WHERE
The Northern Irish accent is described as rhotic,
which means any language where ever /r/ is pronounced, always - in every circumstance.
Listen to the comparison.
ANSWER ANSWER
UNDER UNDER
YOUR YOUR
To be honest, this sounds completely ridiculous. This sound is extremely
difficult for anybody from Northern Ireland because we pronounce all /r/’s all of the time.
In any case I’m again thoroughly impressed that Natasha nails it.
As you’ve already seen, to have any accent you need to be able to master particular
sounds. Here’s another important one in the Northern Irish accent.
"The answers to your questions, I’ll know when I get back."
"That information isn’t necessary."
"Alright, but I’m not under any obligation to let you know."
You’ll get your money when we get the case
Pay attention to the final /t/ sound in these words.
“I’ll know when I get back.”
“That information isn’t necessary.”
“But I’m not under any obligation to let you know.”
“You’ll get your money when we get the case.”
Most British accents pronounce the /t/ sound at the end of words.
GET THAT BUT NOT
I’ll get that one but I’m not buying this one.
In the Northern Irish accent you lift the tongue to the roof of the mouth,
as if to make the /t/ sound, but then you flatten it out and don’t actually say it.
GET THAT BUT NOT
I’ll get that one but I’m not buying this one.
Next up is one simple word that every Northern Irish speaker uses.
“You're gonna exchange for cash?”
“Aye.”
In short, it means ‘yes’.
I’m told Natascha was able to ace the difficult Northern Irish accent solely
because she hired an on-screen dialect coach during the movie. To do the same,
contact me using the details in the description below.
Now to laugh at a terrible Northern Irish accent watch this video. Or
to hear an excellent one watch this one instead.
Thanks so much for watching and I’ll see you in the next video.