Hear "They"in a Southern Accent
Southerners often stretch they into a smooth vowel glide. Instead of the tight "thay," it comes out as theh-ee /ðe.i/ - still one syllable, but lengthened into a warm, familiar Southern drawl.
Say It Like a Southerner
Start with a soft "theh," then let it slide naturally into "-ee." Don’t break it into two beats - the glide should stay smooth and continuous.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 18). They. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/they
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "They." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/they.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "They." HillbillySlang.com. November 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/they.
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...