Natural speech sample for dialect reference and study
Karen Gillan
This video is timestamped with ad-free playback
Background & Context:
Karen Gillan is a Scottish actress from Inverness. Her natural speech reflects Highland Scottish English with clear northern vowel patterns.
Overall Speech Impression:
She speaks with a warm, bright Scottish cadence—clear vowels, light rhythm, and accessible intonation. Her accent is milder than some Scottish varieties but distinctly Highland.
Key Phonetic Features:
• Scottish monophthongs (GOAT → “goht,” FACE → “fehs”)
• Clear Scottish /r/
• Even, steady pacing
• Light melodic rise in phrasing
• Minimal diphthong movement
How Actors Can Use This Example:
Ideal for portraying Highland or general Scottish characters with a mild, accessible accent.
