Vowels:
* Stronger emphasis on vowel sounds: Greek vowels tend to be pronounced more clearly and distinctly than in some other languages, like English.
* Distinct vowel sounds: The vowel sounds in Greek are often different from their English counterparts. For example, the "i" sound in Greek is often more like the "ee" in "see," and the "o" sound can be closer to the "oh" in "go."
Consonants:
* Rhotic "r" sound: The "r" sound in Greek is a distinct "rolled" sound, similar to the Spanish "rr."
* "Th" sounds: Greek has two "th" sounds, one like the "th" in "thin" and another like the "th" in "this."
* "Ng" sound: The "ng" sound at the end of words like "thing" and "sing" is very common in Greek.
Intonation:
* Rising intonation: Greek speech often has a rising intonation at the end of phrases, which can sound like a question even if it's not.
* Emphasis on stress: Greek words have a distinct stress pattern, and the stressed syllable is often pronounced with more force.
Other characteristics:
* Speed: Greek can be spoken quite quickly, which can make it difficult to understand at first.
* Rhythm: Greek often has a rhythmic, almost musical quality.
Regional variations:
* Island accents: The accents on Greek islands are often considered to be particularly distinctive, with unique vowel sounds and intonation patterns.
* Northern accents: Accents in Northern Greece can have a stronger Slavic influence, with different vowel sounds and consonant pronunciations.
It's important to remember that:
* These are just generalizations: There are many individual variations within Greek speech.
* Accents are not monolithic: Not all speakers of Greek have the same accent.
* Accents can be beautiful and interesting: Don't be afraid to listen and learn about the different ways that Greek can be spoken.
To get a better sense of what a Greek accent sounds like, I recommend listening to Greek music or watching Greek movies and TV shows. You can also try searching for online resources that provide audio examples of different Greek accents.