Related to Language Tropes, these are tropes and useful notes that deal with the way in which characters from a certain region and their actors pronounce words, and the character traits these pronunciations imply.
Tropes
- Accent Adaptation
When a translator substitutes a dialect in their own language for a comparable one in the original work's language. - Accent Depundent
When a pun used in a work works better (or not at all) with a certain accent. - Accent Interest
When a character's accent draws interest or attention from other characters. - Accent Relapse
A character who has been speaking a certain language (usually English) perfectly is revealed to be a spy for a foreign country, and immediately begins speaking with a heavy accent. - Accents Aren't Hereditary
Family members have different accents when they logically shouldn't. - Accent Slip-Up
A character who speaks with an acquired accent suddenly slips into their natural accent, especially in times of excitement. - Aliens of London
When aliens have especially familiar accents. - Alter Kocker
A senior citizen with a Yiddish accent. - Animal Species Accent
An animal who speaks in an animal-esque manner, whether they talk in Animal Talk or actually talk. - Anime Accent Absence
In anime, a foreign character will normally speak Japanese flawlessly, unless the plot depends on a language barrier. - Arab Beoble Talk
Arabs try to speak English. - As Long as It Sounds Foreign
Where creators don't bother getting a foreign language right when they feature it in their work. - Brave Scot
A character with a Scottish accent in mediaeval or fantasy stories is likely to be a warrior. - Brief Accent Imitation
When someone briefly imitates another accent, usually for comedic effect. - Everything Sounds Sexier in French
Where the same sentence said in different language can give over different impressions (sexy, funny, charming, grating, etc.) - Fake Nationality
When an actor plays a native of a nationality or area other than their own. - Fang Thpeak
Mispronouncing [s] as [θ]. In fiction, this is common with vampires or other fanged characters. - Fictional Accent
An accent made up by the writers for a Funny Foreigner. - Funetik Aksent
Dialogue spelled phonetically, so that it looks the way the character sounds to someone with another accent. - How's Your British Accent?
An actor plays a character with a different accent from their own. Then the character has to pretend to have the actor's own accent. - International Pop Song English
An artificial accent used by singers all around the world. - Invented Linguistic Distinction
Fictional accents or regional language variants. - Japanese Ranguage
Rahn tsu supeeku Engurishu... zah Japaniizu way. - Just a Stupid Accent
Where characters who are not English-speakers are portrayed as speaking English, but with a heavy accent, to remind viewers that they're foreign. - The Kids Are American
The adults have foreign accents, but the children don't. - Maurice Chevalier Accent
A Stock Parody accent for all French characters in fiction, based on Maurice Chevalier. - Misplaced Accent
When a character has an accent that does not fit their origin. - Mock Cousteau
Whenever a scene takes place under water a French accent will be used, in reference to Jacques Cousteau. - Not Even Bothering with the Accent
When an actor decides not to bother putting on an accent, often because it'll sound too silly. - Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping
Where an actor slips into their natural accent while acting the part of someone with a different one. - Professional Voice Dissonance
A character uses a different accent for a job instead of their natural accent in order to sound more professional. - Rich Language, Poor Language
Characters' manner of speech indicates their socioeconomic status. - Shocking Voice Identity Reveal
Where a character's accent or voice reveals who they are. - Simpleton Voice
Where you can tell a dumb character is dumb just from the sound of their voice. - Singing Voice Dissonance
While not the only example of the trope, most singers drop their (or use another) accent while performing. - Sssnake Talk
A snake or snake-like character or creature who has an accent that overemphasizes the “s” sounds. - Stereotypical South Asian English
The stereotypical accent of Desis in Western media. - Surprisingly Good Accent
An actor is able to mimic a specific accent perfectly as a character (or their slip-ups are unnoticeable to the average viewer). - Unexplained Accent
When a character speaks with an accent which is neither justified by the plot nor the actor's own accent. - Unintelligible Accent
An accent so thick, no one can understand them. - Vampire Vords
Ze Classical Movie Vampire vahnts to sakh yo blahd. - Vot Ocksent?
A character is oblivious to their own accent, leading to some funny misunderstandings. - What the Hell Is That Accent?
When a character is given an accent to emphasize their foreigness, or the actor speaks in their natural accent, but the audience cannot identify it.
Useful Notes and related Tropes
- American Accents
Yeah, so, like, there's not just one of 'em, huh?- American Accent Influences
About the technical details of American Accents.
- American Accent Influences
- Australian Accent
G'day mate!- Awesome Aussie
Australians accents typically signal someone being toughened up by the wilderness.
- Awesome Aussie
- British Accents
Pip pip, old chap!- Evil Brit
Any character with a British accent, particularly an upper class English one, is likely to turn out to be a villain. - I Am Very British
Where all or most British characters speak with posh accents. - The Queen's Latin
People in historical dramas are given British accents, even though they aren't British or in Britain or even speaking English. - Smart People Speak the Queen's English
Brainy characters have posh English accents, even if they aren't English.
- Evil Brit
- Canadian Accents
We know what we're talking aboot, eh?- Canadian Accent Influences
About the technical details of Canadian Accents.
- Canadian Accent Influences
- Chinese Dialects and Accents
Of course the most-used language in the world has its own accents ... wait, is it actually another language? - German Dialects
Presentink ze many different wariants of ze German Language, ya? - Irish Accents
Your guide to Irish accents. - Japanese Dialects
A guide for Japanese accents and dialects in media. - Spanish Accents And Dialects