Whether it's for acting or just to play a joke on some friends, this article will instruct you on how to reproduce an Italian accent!
Steps
Step 1. Start by editing the vowels
Italian vowels are different from English ones and each letter is distinctly distinct from a single sound. It may sound complicated, but it isn't.
- A sounds like the ä in "Father"
- E is pronounced as it is in "Vendor"
- I is like the ï in "Naive"
- U is ù as in "Goo".
Step 2. Harmonize your "th"
Many Italians have some difficulty in pronouncing the English "th" and so pronounce it as "t" (as in "Think") or "d" (as in "The"), respectively.
Step 3. Use plain English
Since you are pretending to be a foreigner, your vocabulary knowledge shouldn't be complete.
Step 4. Stretch the double consonants
In Italian, words like "Azzurro", "Pollo" or others with double consonants are pronounced twice as long as single consonants. Thus, it would be "Bet-ter" and not "bedder".
Step 5. End the questions with a "no?"
". This is an optional step and obviously it doesn't have to be done every time. The Italian language uses it and so Italians are familiar with it. Example:" You go there later, right?"
Step 6. Italians often drop the 'h' from the beginning of words
Step 7. Occasionally miss certain sounds
Be careful with this, because by overdoing it you will become pretentious! But if you want to do it, remember this:
- GL is LL (as in "Million")
- GN is ñ (as in "Canyon")
Advice
Although in Italian the E is similar to the E in the word "Vendor", it is slightly longer and, in a sense, similar to "ay" of "Bray"
Make sure your "o" doesn't have a w sound at the end. Make your mouth an "o" shape, start making an "o" sound and then stop.
- "Three" and "tree" have the same pronunciation: "h" never has a sound.
- "gn" is pronounced like "ñ" in Spanish (for example mañana)
- Observe the real Italians. This is by far the easiest way to improve your skills. Watch films with Italian actors and follow their linguistic registers.
- Use "Eh" as a filler. Italians don't usually say "Um" or "Come".
Warnings
- Never try to deceive native speakers. Italians will immediately mark you negatively.
- Make responsible use. For example, read this article to prepare yourself for a play, but don't use it to confuse the police.
- Do not overdo it! As "Italian" as you may seem, the exaggeration will only lead to an incomprehensible speech.