How does one learn a Scottish accent?

[Wolfix]

The cliche Dwarf speaks with a Scottish accent, right? (Or is it Irish?) I was hoping to get some good tips on how to learn said accent for roleplaying and perhaps annoying the heck out of my group . Although personally I think it sounds very cool whenever I hear it, I'm not sure how my friends feel on the issue .

 

[msd]

The cliche Dwarf speaks with a Scottish accent, right? (Or is it Irish?) I was hoping to get some good tips on how to learn said accent for roleplaying and perhaps annoying the heck out of my group . Although personally I think it sounds very cool whenever I hear it, I'm not sure how my friends feel on the issue .

Watch Trainspotting and Braveheart over and over and over again...


Rinse and repeat.

 

[eabha]

Here in Toronto there is a great bookstore called Theatre Books (I think...) and last time I checked, they sold tapes/CDs to teach accents to actors. Maybe there is a similar bookstore where you live?

But then, Trainspotting has its appeal, as well.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Also, being born in Scotland helps you learn a Scottish accent.

 

[Maldur]

Whiskey?!

 

[Khayman]

In our campaigns, dwarves speak with Russian accents. Makes the fur hats seem even more intimidating.

 

[Shiv]

Watch Trainspotting and Braveheart over and over and over again...


Rinse and repeat.

I agree. Whenever I need to drop into a Scottish accent, I take a moment to repeat a variation of the Trainspotting moment where two of the fellas are firing a pellet gun at dogs in the park.

"Can you see the beast?" "Clear enough, Miss Moneypenny."

If you want that "tough-as-nails" sound, listen closely to Begby in Trainspotting.

If you want a more suave/cultured sound, any early 007 with Connery gets you there.

 

[Chimera]

Watch (in addition to those mentioned above);

The Scotsman episodes of Samuri Jack.
Star Trek (The orginal show)
Lord of the Rings

The practice, practice, practice.

Until everyone around you thinks you mad or at least extremely irritating.

 

[Storyteller01]

If you can find it, the Disney Ducktales series.

Scooge McDuck had a passable accent, and you can pass it off as entertaining the kids ...

 

[Amal Shukup]

This site addresses some of the pronunciation issues as well as providing some nice pointers on differing usages: http://www.scots-online.org/grammar/sse.htm

More specific on the pronunciation - including descriptions of regional dialects: http://www.scots-online.org/grammar/pronunci.htm#pron

There's more stuff around there as well...

"O cam ye here the fight to shun,
Or herd the sheep wi' me, man?
Or were ye at the Sherra-moor,
Or did the battle see, man?"
I saw the battle, sair and teugh,
And reekin-red ran mony a sheugh;
My heart, for fear, gaed sough for sough,
To hear the thuds, and see the cluds
O' clans frae woods, in tartan duds,
Wha glaum'd at kingdoms three, man.
La, la, la, la, &c..." - Robert Burns

​

AMal