‘What is the hardest thing about learning another language?’ I hear this question a lot, and honestly, the answer depends on lots of factors, such as the area you are focusing on (for example, writing is extremely difficult in Chinese) or similarity to your native language.

However, I think that anyone who has ever studied a second, third or even fourth language would agree that listening is one of the hardest parts of language learning. One reason for this difficulty is the large dialectal variation which most languages feature. Even one language spoken in a relatively small geographical area can have multiple accents and pronunciation differences within that area.

It usually takes years of learning and immersion in your target language environment to be able to distinguish between different accents. Despite studying Mandarin Chinese for over four years, all the accents still sound the same to me!

English is a lingua franca, and an official language in many countries spread across the globe. Due to this wide reach, English has developed a myriad of pronunciation differences that can be tricky to detect for learners of the language, and sometimes impossible to understand, depending on the “thickness” of the accent.

One way to get used to different accents is to listen as often as possible. With almost unlimited content available online at our fingertips from pretty much anywhere on the planet, it is now easier than ever to attune your ear to different English accents.

I live in Ireland, a country with a huge variety of accents which can be mind-boggling to understand if you’re not used to them. To help you out on your mission to better understand the different accents in Ireland, I’ve put together a list of several TV shows and movies that use accents from different parts of the country. Let’s take a look!

The Banshees of Inisherin

The Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Inisherin is set on an island off the west coast of Ireland. For anyone who is not familiar with Ireland, the general rule of thumb is this: the further west you go, the thicker the accent becomes, particularly on the islands dotted along the west coast. Although the accents used in the film are nowhere near as thick as some that I’ve heard from that part of the country, they are still a good introduction to western Irish accents. If you want to hear a really thick accent, check out this video of a sheep farmer!

The Young Offenders

A firm favourite in Ireland, The Young Offenders follows the trials and tribulations of two teenage delinquents in Cork city. Cork accents are known for their singsong quality, and the accents in the show are no exception. With four seasons and a movie, The Young Offenders will have you understanding this famous accent in no time.

Derry Girls

Another hugely popular production in Ireland is Derry Girls, set in the Northern Irish city of Derry during the Troubles in the 1990s. The Derry accent features predominantly in the show, and at times is so strong that even I, a native English speaker living five hours from Derry, occasionally had to rewind and check what the characters said! Derry Girls is definitely a good choice for more advanced English learners, and is a great gateway to discovering the accents of Northern Ireland.

Normal People

If you haven’t heard of this show, which catapulted Ireland’s national treasure Paul Mescal to fame, then you must have been living under a rock for the past few years. The series is set between Sligo and Dublin, and although the accents used are not very strong or identifiable as belonging to any particular region, it still provides an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to Irish pronunciation. And don’t worry: English actress Daisy Edgar-Jones has one of the most convincing Irish accents I’ve ever heard, so you won’t pick up any incorrect pronunciation habits from the show.

The Commitments

A classic 1990s hit in Ireland, The Commitments is based on a novel by famous Irish writer Roddy Doyle. The film follows the mission of a young working-class music lover from the Northside of Dublin to create a soul and rock ‘n’ roll band, and features some great examples of the north Dublin accent. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also packed with famous Irish acting and music talent, including Maria Doyle Kennedy, Glen Hansard and Colm Meaney.

If Irish accents aren’t your focus, don’t worry - I’ll be doing more posts in the future about other accents in English.

Understanding the English Accent in Ireland

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