Eric Theodore Cartman is one of the most beloved characters on South Park, but perhaps one of the hardest to imitate. It’s not impossible, though. Dazzle your friends with a spot-on impression by following a few tips and taking a little time to practice. You’ll sound like the annoying, bratty kid in no time.
Part 1: Creating the Voice
Step 1: Watch a lot of South Park episodes
To truly understand Cartman’s voice and character, you need to immerse yourself in South Park episodes. Pay attention to his voice’s subtleties and nuances, the type of words he uses, his frequently used phrases, and how he interacts with others.
Step 2: Watch Trey Parker demonstrations
Learn from the voice actor himself, Trey Parker. Watch videos of him demonstrating how he does Cartman’s voice. Notice how he positions his mouth, jaw, and tongue. Pay close attention to these details and practice mimicking them.
Step 3: Understand his accent
Cartman has a slight lisp and tends to jumble letters together. For instance, instead of saying “Cool!” and pronouncing all the letters, Cartman says “Ku!” He also speaks from behind his teeth. When saying the word “tomorrow,” he pronounces it as “Tuh-muh-ruh.” Remember, Cartman is loud and often sounds like he’s yelling, even in normal conversations.
Step 4: Listen carefully to the voice
Cartman’s voice is very high-pitched and nasally, almost like he has marbles in his mouth. Practice by squeezing your nostrils closed to imitate the nasally quality. Notice the squeakiness in his voice, especially when he’s crying.
Step 5: Hone in on the pitch
The pitch is created based on the rate of vibration of the vocal folds. To get a higher pitch like Cartman’s, you need to train your vocal cords to tighten and relax as needed. You can also use computer software to manipulate your voice if needed.
Part 2: Working on Catchphrases
Step 1: Memorize popular phrases
Cartman has several go-to phrases. To mimic the character, learn some of these in his accent. Examples include:
- “Respect my authority,” pronounced as “Rus-pec muh uh-thor-a-tie.”
- “Screw you guys…I’m going home!” pronounced as “Skruh yuh guys… ahm guin’ hum!”
Step 2: Pick your favorite
After watching many episodes, pick your favorite Cartman phrases to practice. Choose ones that are easily recognized as Cartman’s to impress your audience. You can also create new phrases in Cartman’s voice for added humor.
Step 3: Practice, practice, practice!
You may not get it right away, but with time and effort, you’ll improve. Look for tips and tricks from others who have mastered the Cartman voice and incorporate their advice into your practice routine.
Part 3: Interacting with Others as Cartman
Step 1: Get into character
Part of Cartman’s appeal is his bratty attitude. Think about what he would say to friends or people he despises. Embrace his rude and inappropriate behavior to fully embody his character.
Step 2: Develop comedic timing
Cartman has great comedic timing. Observe how he paces his jokes and delivers punchlines. Practice speaking slowly and building anticipation before delivering a witty Cartman line.
Step 3: Keep nothing off limits
Cartman comments on race, religion, politics, and everything in between. If you want to sound just like him, don’t hold back. However, be mindful of your audience, as some people may find Cartman’s comments offensive.
By following these steps and practicing regularly, you can perfect your Cartman impression and entertain your friends with your spot-on mimicry of this iconic South Park character.
