Hear "Don"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say Don the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as dah-un /dɑ.ən/ ~ /dɑən/ - one syllable that almost splits into two, a stretched vowel sliding into "n." Play the clip to hear it in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.

#SouthernAccents

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with a broad "dah" vowel, then let it slide smoothly into "n" with a faint off-glide. Keep it as one syllable, but let the sound stretch so it feels like "dah-un."

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "Don"?

It often comes out as "dah-un," where the "o" stretches and slides, almost two syllables.

Is this the same as "Dawn"?

Sometimes they merge in fast speech, but "Don" can keep a shorter vowel while "Dawn" may get a rounder one.

How can I practice?

Start with "Don," stretch the "o" into "dah," then add a quick glide before closing on "n."

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.

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