Audiobook narrator Matt Haynes shares five highlights from his start on the Dutch accent, then uses his favorite practice technique of applying the accent to song lyrics. This week: "The Trees" by Pulp
I realize that you made this video a while back, and consider this accent, as a throwaway accent in your repertoire, I'd still would like to give you some pointers to improve this accent, because it didn't sound anything like a typical Dutch accent. It sounded more like a bad German accent imitation. The V is often pronounced more like an F instead of an W. So 'very', is almost pronounced as the word 'ferry'. The S is either pronounced as an SH or closer to a Z, depending on the position of the letter in a word. For instance in the word 'also', the sound will be more like SH, as in 'alsho', where the SH will sound like in the English word ship. In the word 'so' it will sound more like a Z. Depending on the fluency of the Dutchman the first G will sound like the CH as in the German pronunciation of the word 'Bach'. A harsh G sound. So 'go' would be something like 'cho', and remember make it harsh. The TH was pretty good, that indeed is often articulated as a T or a D. But in words like thought, things, etc. It will usually be closer to an F sound. What also tends to happen is that for words that are similar in both languages the Dutch pronunciation is used instead of the English one. Since both languages share a lot of cognates this happens a lot. Prime example is the word 'since' often is replaced completely with the Dutch word 'sinds'. But to actually pull that of in a believably you'd have to actually study Dutch. I hope that you'll take an other stab at this one.
This is a good reply. From an outsider, I can add that to an englishman's ear, there are two extra sounds that make it Dutch: The O sound is more fuller in the mouth, as in Both, but moreso, the R sound often has the longer sound of American English
I agree with both of these comments. Turning the W into a V makes it sound more German than Dutch. V turns into F. Th becomes hard T or D, or F (depends also on the person). The dutch O was missing, so for example "boat" would sound like "bow-t". And if you turn the R into a rolling R (even though many Dutch people have trouble with that) it will also help the accent more convincing.
Oh dear. the th bit was about right, but as for the other pointers, they don't really seem correct to me. If you don't mind me saying, you more or less sound German, not Dutch. The S should be less sharp but not sound like an SH, put your tongue a bit further out I guess.Vowels tend to be pronounced in a short and sharp way and there are multiple diphthongs that have no English equivalent whatsoever so I shall skip them entirely for your own sanity. Also, the R isn't swallowed, but rolling, like a Spanish R only even more pronounced. In standard Dutch anyway. Let's see... Oh yes. The W isn't pronounced as a V but halfway in between the V and W. A straight up V is German. Everything always ends with a short sound. So bed becomes bet for example. Lamp becomes lamp, but spoken in about half the time. Aaaand that was it. Nice try though, I'm sure there will be loads and loads of very important Dutch characters for you to play in your future career and perhaps one day you'll look back at this moment and think yes, that day was _the_ day. Or not. Look, you're not going to care _that_ much anyway about throwaway characters with a funky accent.
I think adjusting the W not to a V but more a wider mouth W will help a lot to make it sound less German. Also having the R more in the front of your mouth and not in the throat is a big thing that is distinct for a dutch accent. Hope this helps. I foubd this video while searching if I could narrate audiobooks while having a slight Dutch accent myself naturally.
I don't think the Dutch have that retroflex S. Its more of a very strong high pitch s. The U thing becoming the er is also not really true. its more as if every u turns into the u as pronounced in 'cult' or 'urn'. Words like fun where the u is pronounced more as an 'a' will change to fun where the u is pronounced as the 'u' in urn. The r was kind of good but the h is not there. Its just a very uncomfortable r that sits more in the back of the throat. Like the 'r' sound you make when you growl. The w turning into the v or even the f was more accurate but in practice your accents tends more to german. If you want a really strong dutch accent would turn into something like: shape the world into what you want the world to be, turns into: Sjaip de furlt into fât you want du wurlt to bee.
here is a video on V,W,and F ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ktikutDOA0E.html, when we speak English we will put more emphasis on the W than we do in dutch, but it's there.
@@albinakemet sorry about the gap in follow-through. I'm doing a series of accents that will conclude by May. I'm putting on my calendar to get started on the Trinidadian accent that month. Thanks for reminding me.
I love your videos, and you’re often extremely talented. However, I have a feeling you didn’t actually listen to the Dutch language at all. All of these things are German..
I am really sorry. but not even close. I think you misconception of the s sound just shapes your mouth the wrong way. And it is really the vowels that go wrong: do not diphtong. Dutch is much more in the front of the mouth than AE. Do not aspirate, and dont voice consonants at the end of words. The w is not a v, but a labio dental w instead of the AE bilabial w, and most consonants are pronounced lenis, with much more relaxed, less tense lips. A bit drunk. But I guess for a non dutch audience it is fine. who hears a dutch accent anyway? Fun to watch, thanks.
