Hear "The"in a Southern Accent
Us Southerners don’t always say the the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it come out as thu-ee [ðɪ.i] ~ [ði.i] or [ðə.i] or thu-uh [ðʊə] ~ [ðə.ə] or [ðʌə] - a quick little "th" that stretches into a light vowel, almost two syllables but not quite. Play the clips to hear each one in real Southern speech, then practice with our tips and sentences.
Variations
Most common: tha [ðʊə] ~ [ðə.ə] or [ðʌə]
Say It Like a Southerner
Listen to each clip a few times. Start with a soft "th" sound, then glide into a light vowel: thu-ee (almost "thee"), thu-uh (a relaxed "thuh" sliding to "uh"). Keep it one syllable that nearly splits into two.
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.