Hear "Atlanta"in a Southern Accent
In Georgia and across the South, Atlanta often drops a syllable in casual speech, coming out as et-lan-uh /ətˈlæn.ə/ ~ /ætˈlæn.ə/. The first vowel shortens, the middle carries the stress, and that final "tuh" softens to "nuh." It’s quick, smooth, and pure Georgia talk.
Say It Like a Southerner
Start with "et," short and light, hit "lan" with your voice, then let the ending fall away - "nuh," not "tuh." The result is one smooth breath: "et-lan-uh."
Regional Note
Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.