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Hear "She"in a Southern Accent

Southerners often give she a soft, two-part glide instead of the tight "shee" used elsewhere. It comes out as shuh-ee /ʃʌ.i/, still one syllable, but stretched just enough to carry that familiar Southern ease.

#SouthernAccents   #Pronouns

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Start with a soft "shuh," then slide right into "-ee" without breaking the word. It should feel like one smooth sound with a gentle Southern glide.

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Common Questions

Is "shuh-ee" actually one syllable?
Yes. It’s a single vowel glide - stretched, but never fully split.
Do all Southerners say it this way?
Not all, but it’s common in Appalachia, Tennessee, Alabama, and the Carolinas.
Why does it glide like that?
The vowel relaxes and widens, creating a natural Southern diphthong.
Does it ever sound like standard "shee"?
In formal speech, yes - but casual, everyday Southern talk often uses the glide.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 16). She. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/she
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "She." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/she.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "She." HillbillySlang.com. November 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/she.

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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