Hear "On"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say on the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it slide into ah-own /ɑo̯n/ ~ /ɑoʊn/ - one syllable that almost feels like two (how I say it when I'm trying not to sound Southern) - or oh-un /oʊən/ ~ /oʊn/, which is another glided version (like Jeff on Survivor says, 'let's get it on'). Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.

#SouthernAccents

Variations

A little countrier, how it normally slips out for me. /oʊən/ ~ /oʊn/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to each clip a few times. Start with an open "ah" or "oh" and glide toward "own" or "uhn." Ah-own stays closer to one syllable, oh-un stretches a bit. Repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "on"?

In slower or expressive speech, you’ll hear "ah-own" or "oh-un," both of which break the standard "on" into a glide.

Is one more Southern than the other?

Both occur across the region. "Ah-own" leans to a more open "ah" start; "oh-un" keeps closer to "oh."

How can I practice?

Start with a clear "on," then open the mouth slightly ("ah-own") or add a soft "uhn" offglide ("oh-un"). Keep it smooth and gliding.

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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