AE 1363 - Pete's 2c: How Can I Change My Accent from American to Aussie?
How to change to an Australian accent: practical steps and mindset
This episode explores how to change to an Australian accent, balancing motivation, social impact, and targeted pronunciation work. Pete answers a listener's question about shifting from American/British pronunciation to Aussie English and explains the most important sounds and learning strategies.
Key pronunciation targets for Australian English
Non-rhoticity and linking vowels: Australian English often drops or links the final "r" (non-rhotic), so knowing when to use or omit that sound is essential. The intrusive/ linking vowel (the "ah" sound) is a common stumbling block for American speakers.
Diphthongs (especially the O sound): Mastering Australian diphthongs, particularly the O vowel, dramatically increases perceived Australianness. Focus on mouth position, tongue placement, and the way vowels glide.
Step-by-step practice: listen, repeat, shadow
- Use listen-and-repeat drills with single sounds, word lists, and short sentences.
- Ask AI (ChatGPT) to generate the most common words and sentences that contain specific Australian phonemes for targeted practice.
- Record yourself, practice in front of a mirror, and compare to native speakers to refine mouth shapes and timing.
Use targeted tools: IPA, courses, and teachers
Study the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for Australian phonemes, consider a structured Australian pronunciation course, and work with a native-accent pronunciation teacher for personalised feedback.
Mindset and social considerations
Decide why you want to change accents and weigh the emotional or professional impact. If friends, students, or colleagues find it confusing, plan a gradual approach or focus on Australian phrases (slang and idioms) first to sound more authentic without full accent change.
Bottom line: Focusing on non-rhoticity, the O diphthong, and consistent, targeted listen-and-repeat practice (using AI, courses, and a native teacher) will speed up your transition to Australian English. Also, using Aussie slang and idioms can boost perceived authenticity even with a foreign accent.
