Hear "Own"in a Southern Accent
Us Southerners don’t always say own the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as oh-un /oʊən/ ~ /oʊn/ - one syllable that almost feels like two - pretty much was 'on' usually sounds like. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips.
Say It Like a Southerner
Listen to each clip a few times. Start with "oh," glide softly into "uhn" for oh-un, or clip it down to own in fast speech. Keep it smooth and gliding.
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Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 26). Own. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/own
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Own." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/own.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Own." HillbillySlang.com. September 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/own.
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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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...