Learn the Pittsburgh accent

(94.1MB, 98 minutes) 2011 Edition

This download includes a written examination of how to learn the Pittsburgh accent, and the following sound files featuring Accent Help coach Jim Johnson:

Play Audio Sample:

1. Intro to Sound Placement, Intonation and Helpful Hints  (5:38)
2. Consonant changes for learning a Pittsburgh accent  (16:22)
3. Vowel sound changes for the Pittsburgh accent  (9:09)
4. changes in Diphthongs for speaking Pittsburghese  (8:12)
5. Alternate Pronunciations for words in a Pittsburgh accent (4:27)
6. Wrap up to learning a Pittsburgh accent  (1:56)
7. Uptown Pittsburgh Male reading  (1:03)
8. + his conversation  (8:08)
9. Shady Side Pittsburgh Female reading  (1:15)
10. + her conversation  (7:06)
11. Mt. Washington Pittsburgh Female conversation  (7:04)
12. South Side - Brookline Pittsburgh Male reading  (:48)
13. + his conversation  (6:38)
14. Mt. Washington Pittsburgh Female reading  (1:02)
15. + her conversation  (3:15)
16. Mt. Washington Pittsburgh Male reading  (1:15)
17. + his conversation  (6:56)
18. Overbrook Pittsburgh Female reading  (1:07)
19. + her conversation  (6:34)

Pittsburgh accents are sometimes called "Yinzer" accents because of the common usage of "yinz" or "yinz guys" to describe a group (much like "y'all" in varieties of American Southern Hard-R and Soft-R).  Pittsburghese accents are similar to Chicago accents, but if anyone is familiar with them, there are a few differences that are quite strong.  There are examples from a number of neighborhoods within Pittsburgh included in this download.

I also recommend that you get our guide to basic ideas behind learning accents - and it's free!  (It's also included in this download.)

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.