# Sawyer's accent in "Lost" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574 "2012-02-12T01:58:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/1 "2012-02-12T01:58:27Z")
What’s the accent of Sawyer? Why I can’t get most of his words? What are the best ways to improve my listening to understand these types of accents? [ I mean which sources and references to any more similar audios, dialects, … ) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/2 "2012-02-12T02:32:33Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > What’s the accent of Sawyer? Why I can’t get most of his words? What are the best ways to improve my listening to understand these types of accents? [ I mean which sources and references to any more similar audios, dialects, … ) Are you unfamiliar with US accents? Sawyer has a kind of general southern accent AKA twang. I’d look for documentaries set in the southern USA to hear a lot of “real” people using their native accent. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/3 "2012-02-12T02:35:14Z")
Josh Holloway grew up in north Georgia, and that’s his natural accent. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/4 "2012-02-12T02:42:51Z")
He also uses a lot of slang a slang nick-names with cultural references. So, if you not familiar with American popular culture, you might not “get” his nick-names. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/5 "2012-02-12T04:17:36Z")
Where areyou from **Reza**? I’m from England and I never had any trouble with Sawyer’s accent – or cultural references. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/6 "2012-02-12T07:34:01Z")
Isn’t Reza the guy who was teaching himself English, or do I have him confused with someone else? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/7 "2012-02-12T09:04:23Z")
[Redacted] ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/8 "2012-02-12T10:05:59Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Are you unfamiliar with US accents? Sawyer has a kind of general southern accent AKA twang. I’d look for documentaries set in the southern USA to hear a lot of “real” people using their native accent. Thanks for the reply. 1- Not that much really, I can get lots of People in the movie who have American accent. But Sawyer’s is quite different. 2- I appreciate if you mention some websites from which I can download those you suggested. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/9 "2012-02-12T10:09:08Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He also uses a lot of slang a slang nick-names with cultural references. So, if you not familiar with American popular culture, you might not “get” his nick-names. I know a great deal of English slang and cultural references. But the way he mumbles sounds tough to get [for me, of course]. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/10 "2012-02-12T10:11:12Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > Where areyou from **Reza**? I’m from England and I never had any trouble with Sawyer’s accent – or cultural references. I’m from Tehran, the capital of Iran. And, I never had any trouble with Jack’s accent. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/11 "2012-02-12T10:12:38Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Isn’t Reza the guy who was teaching himself English, or do I have him confused with someone else? Yes, I’m him. How are you? ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/12 "2012-02-12T10:34:04Z")
I’m not sure if you’re watching \*Lost \*on TV, DVD, or on the internet, but it might help if you turn on the subtitles, if possible. That can be a really powerful way to learn a language while simultaneously being entertained. If you’re getting the episodes via internet/bootleg (hey, it’s Iran, and I doubt even the MPAA or whoever cares much), you can go to [this site](http://subscene.com/filmsearch.aspx?q=lost) to download the subtitles. There are various video players that support that .srt format, or you could even just open the .srt file with a text editor like Notepad and read whichever lines you’re having trouble with. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/13 "2012-02-12T19:40:04Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > Yes, I’m him. How are you? I’m fine. I pointed that out so people would better understand why you probably haven’t heard anyone with Sawyer’s accent before. And I second the recommendation to use the subtitles. Read them all the time at first, then slowly try not reading them and see if you understand. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/14 "2012-02-12T19:59:49Z")
Many of the nicknames Sawyer dishes out are US cultural references, specific to a certain generation of people and their media (TV shows, movies, books). I found an on-line guide to Sawyer’s nicknames, with explanations, here: [http://lost.about.com/od/sawyernicknames/Sawyers\_Nicknames.htm](http://lost.about.com/od/sawyernicknames/Sawyers_Nicknames.htm) And a list of nicknames used by many Lost characters, from Lostpedia: > **[Nicknames](https://lostpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Nicknames)** > > The characters from Lost, especially Sawyer, often give each other nicknames on Lost. Objects and places are also the subjects of various nicknames used by the characters. The below list is in alphabetical order. Alias: Sarah ("Two for the Road")... US regional accents can take some time to understand. Combined with the fact that most people do not use an accent with 100% consistency, even actors who grew up speaking with that accent. On a TV show there’s also a lot of background noise, and in the case of Lost a lot of mumbling. Subtitles can help you with those last two points. Keep in mind that subtitles are not 100% accurate either. If you hear one thing and the subtitles say another, you may be right. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/15 "2012-02-15T10:12:04Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I’m not sure if you’re watching \*Lost \*on TV, DVD, or on the internet, but it might help if you turn on the subtitles, if possible. That can be a really powerful way to learn a language while simultaneously being entertained. > > If you’re getting the episodes via internet/bootleg (hey, it’s Iran, and I doubt even the MPAA or whoever cares much), you can go to [this site](http://subscene.com/filmsearch.aspx?q=lost) to download the subtitles. There are various video players that support that .srt format, or you could even just open the .srt file with a text editor like Notepad and read whichever lines you’re having trouble with. Thank you, and I’m very well aware of subtitle stuff, mine (DVD, has it too). But I prefer not to take a peek at subtitles. Listening skill is my most favorite area of a Language, and through my practice and experience, to improve your listening you ought not to read subtitles. Otherwise, you will be get much dependent on that and the progress on listening skill will be lowered drastically. It’s not just a cliche instruction but a real experience which I felt and has been proved to me. The best way I found is watching three times: 1- without sub and only enjoy the movie, and let yourself get dialogues as your ability afford. 2- second watch; still without sub but this time concentrate more on conversations and words. 3- third time with caption on and read words, and take notes of new words and phrases of course. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/16 "2012-02-15T10:18:21Z")
Weeelll, whaddawe have here? Looks like _somebody’s_ hooked on phonics, aintcha there Xerxes? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/17 "2012-02-15T11:48:25Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > The best way I found is watching three times: 1- without sub and only enjoy the movie, and let yourself get dialogues as your ability afford. 2- second watch; still without sub but this time concentrate more on conversations and words. 3- third time with caption on and read words, and take notes of new words and phrases of course. I like this technique a lot, actually. Sawyer mumbles a lot. It’s not just your ears that have trouble figuring out what he’s saying. Sometimes I had to rewind it to understand him. Sometimes this is because he was speaking quickly, or because he says things which are funny but don’t make a lot of literal sense, but often it was just because he mumbles. For a similar accent, find some older footage of Brad Pitt speaking in his own voice, like in an interview. It’s not the \*same \*accent - the two actors grew up several states apart, 1000km apart - but it’s a \*similar \*accent to ears new to American accents. Brad is a little easier to understand because he doesn’t mumble so much. One thing you have to keep in mind as you’re learning is that most Americans speak American English, but we have hundreds of different accents. Sometimes even we have trouble understanding one another! We’re a very, very big country. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/18 "2012-02-15T13:42:02Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > Thank you, and I’m very well aware of subtitle stuff, mine (DVD, has it too). But I prefer not to take a peek at subtitles Here is your main difficulty with Sawyer: his word choice is not natural, it’s something a TV writer invented. I’m from the same city as him, I speak the same dialect, but sometimes I can’t understand him without pausing the DVD. In real life, people don’t see a girl with freckles and start calling her “Freckles”. And that’s a very easy example, because ‘freckles’ is a common noun, and Kate has freckles. Usually he uses some obscure cultural or literary reference that alludes to some abstract aspect of the situation. And sometimes it’s a thing that he just invented completely. Basically, you can’t understand him because nobody really speaks like that. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawyers-accent-in-lost/612574/19 "2012-02-15T15:09:45Z")
> [@Typo\_Knig](#): > > I found an on-line guide to Sawyer’s nicknames, with explanations, here: > > [http://lost.about.com/od/sawyernicknames/Sawyers\_Nicknames.htm](http://lost.about.com/od/sawyernicknames/Sawyers_Nicknames.htm) I had to chuckle at this entry on that site: > [@](#): > > Ponce de Leon: Ana-Lucia says that she’s not lost. “Then tell me, Ponce de Leon, which way are we supposed to go?” (Ep: 2x6, Abandoned) > > ``` > Juan Ponce de Leon II was the first Puerto Rican to temporarily assume the governorship of Puerto Rico. > > ``` Totally missed the significance of calling someone Ponce de Leon.