Hear "Their"in a Southern Accent

Southerners often pronounce their with a gentle glide instead of the tight "thair." You might hear it as theh-yur /ðeəɹ/ ~ /ðɛəɹ/, the smoother ay-uhr /eəɹ/ ~ /ɛɚ/, the deeper country thah-uhr /ðɑɚ/ ~ /ðaɹ/, or the short mountain-style thuhr /ðɚ/ ~ /ðɜɹ/. Each version has that easy Southern flow but stays a touch lighter than the word "there."

#SouthernAccents #Pronouns

Variations

1) This is how you'd normally here it, clipped at the front. /eəɹ/ ~ /ɛɚ/

2) A little bit more country. /ðɑɚ/ ~ /ðaɹ/

3) Mountain talk. /ðɚ/ ~ /ðɜɹ/

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Ease into the opening vowel, then let it slide toward "uhr." Keep it a little quicker than "there" but still smooth and natural. Most versions land with a clear Southern "r," especially in inland and Appalachian speech.

Kin Topics

Pronouns

Common Questions

Why does "their" glide differently in Southern speech?

Words ending in "-air" often relax into a wide vowel plus a strong "r," creating an easy Southern glide.

Are these the same pronunciations as "there"?

They overlap, but "their" tends to be slightly shorter and less dramatic than "there" in many inland accents.

Which form is the most common?

"Theh-yur" and "ay-uhr" are widespread across Tennessee, Appalachia, and the Upper South.

How can I practice this sound?

Slow the vowel just a bit, then slide into the "uhr" ending without breaking the word into two parts.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 18). Their. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/their
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Their." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/their.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Their." HillbillySlang.com. November 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/their.

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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