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Why "father" sounds different in British English
British /ˈfɑːðə/ and American /ˈfɑːðər/ start almost identically. The RP vowel is long and made far back in the mouth; the American one is similar, often a little shorter. Unlike BATH words, "father" has this vowel in every major accent, including Northern English ones.
The real difference is the ending. RP is non-rhotic, so the final R is silent and the word ends on a relaxed schwa. As a result, "father" and "farther" sound identical in RP. Also check the TH: it is voiced, /ð/ as in "this", not the voiceless sound of "thin".
How to say "father" like a Brit, step by step
- Say a long FAH, jaw open and tongue low and back.
- Put your tongue tip lightly between your teeth and voice a th, as in "this".
- End on a short uh. Don't curl your tongue back for an R.
- Keep the first syllable long and stressed: FAH-thuh.
Practise "father" in a sentence
- My father grew up in Yorkshire.
- Happy Father's Day!
- He looks just like his father did at that age.
Saying it once correctly is easy. Saying it right in the middle of a fast sentence is the hard part, which is why the sentences above matter more than the single word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce father in a British accent?
In Received Pronunciation, father is pronounced /ˈfɑːðə/, roughly "FAH-thuh". The vowel is a long "ah" and the final R is silent, so it sounds like "farther".
Is the American pronunciation of father wrong?
No. /ˈfɑːðər/ is standard in American English. Both are correct, they simply belong to different accents. If you are learning a British accent, aim for /ˈfɑːðə/.