Hear "Aunt"in a Southern Accent
Us Southerners don’t always say aunt the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it slide into a-yunt /æjʌnt/ ~ /æjənt/ ("a" with a "y" glide + "nt") - just like the little bug - or even ay-eent, which is pretty much two syllables and rhymes a bit with "ain’t." Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences.
Example Audio in Sentences
1) "Aunt Phyllis said to holler at 'er when you get back." Translates to "Aunt Phyllis wants you to call her when you get home."
2) "I reckon I saw Aunt Tootsie last time I's down't t'restrurnt." Translates to "I believe I saw Aunt Tootsie the last time I was at the restaurant."
Say It Like a Southerner
Try both ways: say it once as "ant" (short and flat) and once as "aint" (long and drawn out). Practice each until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.
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.