For hints on how to begin, please see How To Work On An Accent.
Sample Subject: Shayne Ward
Audio Only (Interviewer Removed):
From Wikipedia:
Shayne Thomas Ward (born 16 October 1984) is an English actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Aidan Connor in Coronation Street from 2015 to 2018 and 2021.
Ward was born on 16 October 1984 in Tameside, Greater Manchester, England to Irish Traveller parents who settled in England.
Pronunciation Features
A few notable things to listen for and practice:
Vowel Sounds
STRUT/FOOT → [ʊ]
Words like STRUT use the same vowel sound as words like FOOT
Practice: “None of us can trust the government,” said the drunken thug.
TRAP/BATH/SPA → [aː]
Words like these use a bright, forward vowel sound. Note: Northern English accents do not differentiate between BATH and TRAP words as Southern English accents do.
Practice: Patrick actually planned to practice his dance.
CHOICE → [ɑ̝ɪ]
This diphthong sound lacks lip rounding throughout.
Practice: Here’s a coin for some soybean oil.
NORTH/FORCE → [ɒ]
These words are more open and less rounded than in some other varieties of British English.
Practice: A swarm of porpoises torched the resort.
GOAT → [ɔʊ]
These words begin with an open, round vowel sound.
Practice: Oh no, Flo! Don’t go home with Joe.
Consonant Sounds
R Dropping
R sounds are dropped unless they precede a vowel sound. Examples: words like NEAR, SQUARE, START, NORTH, FORCE, CURE, NURSE, lettER
Practice: Start your tour near the first square tower.
T glottalization
T sounds following a vowel sound are often replaced with a glottal stop.
Practice: A bit of butter would make that batter better.
‘-ing’ endings
These word endings often include the /g/ sound when linking into a following word that starts with a vowel, or realized as /n/ (e..g “dancin'”).
Practice: Shouting and crying is considered rude.
TH fronting
These sounds are often realized as /f/ or /v/.
Practice: Thank you with all my heart.