Learn the German Accent

(73.7MB, 77 minutes) 2011 Edition

This download includes a written examination for learning the German accent, and the following sound files featuring Accent Help coach Kate DeVore:

Play Audio Sample:

1. Introduction to Sound Placement, Intonation, and Helpful Hints for learning a German accent (3:48)
2. Consonant sound changes in a German accent (9:43)
3. Vowel sound changes for German accents (2:54)
4. changes in Diphthongs for speaking with a German accent (1:35)
5. Alternate Pronunciations of English words and German terms (1:28)
6. Wrap up for learning a German accent (1:44)
7. Hamburg Germany Male reading (1:00)
8. + his conversation (1:15)
9. Berlin Germany Female reading (1:07)
10. + her conversation (5:42)
11. First of Two German Females reading (1:04)
12. Second of Two German Females reading (1:09)
13. + their conversation (1:52)
14. Aachen Germany Female reading (1:12)
15. + her conversation (2:21)
16. German Female reading (1:00)
17. + her conversation (4:41)
18. + speaking in German (:23)
19. Berlin Germany Female reading (1:06)
20. + her conversation (5:03)
21. Northern Germany Male reading (1:28)
22. + his conversation (3:28)
23. Wittenburg Germany Male reading (1:25)
24. + his conversation (4:31)
25. Wittenburg Germany Female reading (1:57)
26. + her conversation (13:07)

The German accent is commonly divided into two subsets: High German, which is spoken in the mountainous south of Germany, and Low German, which is spoken in the northern lowlands.  Both of these major divisions are discussed in these materials for learning the German accent.

Whatever accent you're working on, it's a good idea to get our FREE guide to learning accents and dialects - it will help you to get started with some basic terms and ideas for learning accents.  (It's also included in this download.)

Though these sound files have been remastered to reduce background noise, most of these recordings are made "in the field" so you will hear such things as birds, cars or other people in the background.  A transcription of the conversations is included to help you follow along.  This download also contains four versions of the written materials:  A printer-friendly pdf, a pdf that is in a larger format for use on a portable reading device, and both mobi and epub editions for other portable readers.