I made this video because a lot of you wanted to know how to actually speak in different accents, so this shows you a little of how I do it. Please visit my Blogging website where I have a more detailed description of how to achieve the accent! http://jo-burgess.blogspot.com/ (NO offence to be taken from this video, just passing on what I have learnt!) The general American accent I tend to speak through my throat and chest with defiantly a more croaky sound. If I place my hand on my chest I can feel my words vibrating compared to when I then change back to my English accent which comes from the mouth. The southern American accent is also in chest and throat but is more slurred and can be husky. When pronouncing words let your mouth open wider to really hear those twangy words, eg- 'thy'at instead of 'that'. Main differences Letter T changes to 'D' when in the middle of words (butter- budder) Letter R is always pronounced ('there' becomes 'they'er' in southern and 'they' r' in general which is less stressed) The American 'R' makes the tip of your tongue curve but it doesn't touch anywhere in the mouth. It is in the throat.Words like 'cot' and 'caught' sound the same and 'meddle' and 'mettle'. In the southern accent the letter 'I' changes to an 'A' in words like hi- ha. Phrases used 'It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'General- Its, Bedder to have love'd an larst then to nev'ur have love'd aat all 'A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be somewhere else.'Southern- Ah frend is someone 'hwho is they'er for ya when 'heed rather be someway'er else. I would recommend having a look at the film 'Fried Green Tomatoes' there are some great southern accents in it. 'Or Gone with the Wind,' which has a more old fashioned southern accent. For your general American, anything you find on TV or many blockbuster films have a broad range of american accents in. look at a soap like 'The O.C'. And most importantly have fun and practice over and over again!