I spoke to Mecca Lewis from AAE for the SLP, about her work as a speech language pathologist, an unintentional spokesperson for African American English, and why the way she talks definitely isn’t “slang.”

Turn on, tune in, (the) Dropout

May 4th, 2022 37m 43s

Why do we care as much about Elizabeth Holmes’ voice as we do about all the fraud and deception? What is it about her voice, and the idea of “authenticity,” and exactly how does Amanda Seyfried manage to sound like her in the new Hulu series Th

Inventing “Inventing Anna”

Mar 2nd, 2022 35m 3s

In the new Shonda Rhimes/Netflix true crime melodrama: “Inventing Anna,” Julia Garner plays real life fraudster-cum-socialite Anna Sorokin, and attempts her hodgepodge of an accent. So, what IS this accent, exactly? Where did it come from, a

Very British Villains

Feb 2nd, 2022 36m 6s

Have you ever wondered why so many villains in American movies speak with British accents? Is it just a coincidence, or is there something more going on?If you have a dialect question you can write to me at [email protected]

Under Quarantine

Jan 5th, 2022 7m 58s

Where did we get the term “Quarantine?” Is that different from “Lockdown” or “isolation?” Will I ever be allowed to leave my house again?

Folk Etymologies

Dec 1st, 2021 33m 11s

Everyone loves a good story, but it seems like all the best ones are made up. That’s where Folk Etymologies come in, or the fake stories of how these words didn’t actually originate.

RE-RELEASE: I vant to suck your blaaaahd

Oct 27th, 2021 31m 24s

From movies to muppets, Dracula’s iconic accent is one of our favorite tropes. But where did this sometimes-spooky, sometimes-silly voice come from? And why do we associate it with vampires? In last year's Halloween special, Carrie explores the

The “Other”

Oct 6th, 2021 42m 11s

Whether it’s a coming-of-age story or a monster movie, there are lots of reasons to want to create a sense of “otherness” in your character. Accents are one way to do this, and while making an Impossible Accent from Nowhere can be fun, using a

Pop Music: Or, The Case of the Incredible, Disappearing Accent

Jul 7th, 2021 43m 53s

Why do singers sometimes lose their accents once the music starts playing? patreon.com/youtalkfunnycarriehardintalksfunny.com

The Minnesota Nice

Jun 2nd, 2021 45m 10s

Fargo introduced much of the world to the charms of the Upper Midwest, but where do these flattened, nasalize vowels come from? And why is this accent used in so many dark comedies?Howard Mohr’s How to Talk Minnesotan:https://m.youtube.com/w

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Bad British Accents, Part 4

Apr 28th, 2021 35m 30s

In this last installment of our April miniseries on the great British/American accent exchange, we’ll discuss some of the best —and the worst —American accents

Bad British Accents, Part 3: The Yankccents

Apr 21st, 2021 45m 5s

This is Part 3 of our miniseries on the sometimes-fraught transatlantic accent exchange between the US and the UKAnd now that we’re done beating up on the Americans, it’s time to see what it takes for British actors to learn a credible Americ

Bad British Accents, Part 2: Naming Names

Apr 14th, 2021 39m 28s

Last time we talked about how American actors go about learning a British accent, and how one accent can go so very wrong. In Part 2, we’ll be looking at some of the worst offenses, and a few actors who got it right. And we’re going to be nami

Bad British Accents, Part 1

Apr 7th, 2021 45m 23s

The first in a 4-part miniseries on the elusive British accent, and how so many American actors seem to get it wrong. And if you’re having some strong accent-opinions, write to me at [email protected]

April Fool’s!

Mar 31st, 2021 7m 8s

I’ll be back next week with a full episode, but here’s a quick mini-episode on the history and etymology of April Fool’s Day....maybe. But probably not. Got a question? Find us on Instagram @carriehardintalksfunny or email us at carriehardi

Shiver Me Timbers!

Mar 3rd, 2021 41m 16s

Everyday is Talk Like A Pirate Day if you try hard enough —We'll take a deep dive into the origins of this seemingly silly voice And if you’ve got a question, you can write to [email protected]

You want fry with that?

Feb 3rd, 2021 47m 32s

Is vocal fry really the obnoxious villain it’s made out to be? Or are we all acting a little...dare I say, hysterical?

Da Chicawgo Ahccent

Jan 6th, 2021 38m 48s

Windy politicians, hot dogs, and Superfans —what do we think of the Chicago Accent? And what does it really sounds like?

Pet Peeves

Dec 9th, 2020 41m 20s

Why are old mistakes charming stories, while new ones are personally offensive?One man’s “to whom it may concern” is another man’s “irregardless.”

Announcement!

Nov 18th, 2020 49s

Announcement!

The Mid-Atlantic Accent: The Real History of a Fake Thing

Nov 11th, 2020 35m 2s

An entire generation of actors were taught to speak in that Old Movie Star voice. But, why? And where did this quasi-British accent come from?

I vant to suck your blaaaahd

Oct 28th, 2020 31m 3s

Karma Chameleon

Oct 21st, 2020 28m 26s

People are natural mimics —whether we intend to be or not. And when it comes to adopting a new accent, the results can be . . . mixed.

Les Hoosiers

Oct 7th, 2020 28m 41s

Notre Dame, Lafayette, Vincennes. What’s with all those French-sounding places that don’t actually sound very French? Kate Scott, from the Indiana Historical Society helps us figure out why we say these place names the way we do. And if you hav

Too Posh or not too Posh

Sep 23rd, 2020 34m 27s

For years, we’ve heard only the fanciest of English accents, but now the times are changing —Carrie talks to comedians Simon Cockle and Sam Mabbitt about why we love hearing a good accent. Check out Simon & Sam’s podcast The Sacred Cow at https