What is the fundamental difference between rhotic and non-rhotic English accents?

Rhotic accents preserve the sound of the historical English /r/ in all phonetic environments, meaning the /r/ is pronounced wherever it appears in spelling. In contrast, non-rhotic accents do not pronounce the /r/ sound when it follows a vowel and is not followed by another vowel, such as in words like 'car' or 'butter'.

Which major English-speaking regions are predominantly characterized by rhotic accents?

Rhotic accents are prevalent in most of Scotland, Ireland, the United States, and Canada. These regions generally maintain the pronunciation of the /r/ sound in all positions where it is written.

Which major English-speaking regions are predominantly characterized by non-rhotic accents?

Non-rhotic accents are most common in England, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In these accents, the /r/ sound is typically omitted after a vowel unless another vowel immediately follows it.

How did the loss of postvocalic /r/ begin in England?

The earliest traces of postvocalic /r/ loss in English appear in the early 15th century, initially occurring sporadically before coronal consonants, especially /s/. This is seen in words like 'ass' (from Old English 'ears') and 'bass' (fish) (from Old English 'bærs').

When did non-rhotic pronunciation become established in southern England?

By the 1770s, the pronunciation without postvocalic /r/ was becoming common in London, even in formal speech. By the early 19th century, the southern British standard was fully non-rhotic, although some variation persisted until the 1870s.

How did the loss of postvocalic /r/ influence American English pronunciation?

The loss of postvocalic /r/ in the British prestige standard influenced American port cities with close connections to Britain, leading to non-rhotic pronunciation among upper-class speakers in cities like New York City and Boston. This linguistic trend spread to other Eastern and Southern port cities.

What event marked a significant shift towards rhoticity in American English?

The American Civil War (1860s) began shifting centers of wealth and political power to rhotic areas. This trend accelerated after World War II, with national mass media adopting a firmly rhotic standard, which increased its prestige nationwide and led to a reversal where non-rhoticity became associated with lower social status.

What is 'linking R,' and in which type of accent is it found?

Linking R is the phenomenon where non-rhotic speakers pronounce a consonant /r/ sound when a word ending in a written 'r' is immediately followed by a word beginning with a vowel, as in the phrase 'better apples.' This feature helps maintain the distinction between words that might otherwise sound identical.

What is 'intrusive R,' and how is it perceived?

Intrusive R is the insertion of an epenthetic /r/ sound between vowels where no /r/ historically existed, often when the first vowel is a schwa. For example, 'idea of it' might become 'idea-r-of it.' While sometimes stigmatized, it is a common feature in Received Pronunciation and other non-rhotic accents.

What is 'compensatory lengthening' in non-rhotic accents?

Compensatory lengthening occurs in non-rhotic accents when the postvocalic /r/ is elided, causing the preceding vowel to become longer. For instance, in Received Pronunciation, words like 'card' or 'born' might be pronounced with a lengthened vowel, such as [kɑːd] or [bɔːn].

How did Ben Jonson describe the pronunciation of /r/ in the 17th century?

In his 1640 work 'English Grammar,' Ben Jonson described the /r/ sound as being 'sounded firme in the beginning of words, and more liquid in the middle, and ends.' This suggests that rhotic pronunciation was the standard in English during that period.

What did John Walker observe about the pronunciation of /r/ in the late 18th century?

In his 1791 'Critical Pronouncing Dictionary,' John Walker noted that the /r/ in words like 'lard' was pronounced so far back in the throat that it sounded like a lengthened 'a' sound, indicating the shift towards non-rhoticity in prestigious speech.

What is the current status of rhoticity in the American South among White speakers?

Today, non-rhoticity among White speakers in the American South is primarily found among older individuals and in specific areas. Younger generations and the general population in the South have largely adopted rhotic speech, reflecting a broader national trend.

How does African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) relate to rhoticity?

AAVE is largely non-rhotic, a characteristic often linked to its historical prevalence in the former plantation regions of the South. However, rhoticity is becoming more common among younger AAVE speakers, indicating ongoing linguistic change.

What is 'r-dissimilation' as observed in General American English?

R-dissimilation is the dropping of the /r/ sound in non-final unstressed syllables when another syllable in the same word also contains an /r/. This process can be heard in words like 'surprise' or 'caterpillar' in General American English.

Which areas of England showed evidence of rhoticity in the mid-19th century but have since become non-rhotic?

Areas like Birmingham, the Black Country, Wakefield, parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Kent showed evidence of rhoticity in the mid-19th century. However, linguistic surveys from the mid-to-late 20th century indicate that rhoticity has largely disappeared from these regions.

What is the general rhoticity status of Canadian English?

Canadian English is almost entirely rhotic, meaning the /r/ sound is pronounced in all positions. Exceptions are limited to a few small, isolated areas in southwestern New Brunswick, parts of Newfoundland, and specific counties in Nova Scotia.

How does rhoticity vary within Ireland?

While the prestige form of English in Ireland is rhotic, some regional accents, particularly in counties Louth and Cavan, are notably non-rhotic. Dublin's traditional dialect is largely non-rhotic, but modern varieties have become fully rhotic.

What is the typical rhoticity status of English spoken in most of Asia?

English spoken in most of Asia, including the Philippines, is predominantly rhotic, often influenced by American English and, in the Philippines, by Spanish linguistic patterns. East Asian countries generally follow this trend, with Hong Kong being a notable exception due to its British colonial history.

What is the /ɛə/–/ɛər/ merger, and where is it found?

This merger makes words like 'bad' and 'bared' sound identical, typically pronounced as /ɛəd/. It occurs in some North American English dialects, particularly in New York City English, often due to a combination of vowel raising and non-rhoticity.

What is the /ʌ/–/ɜːr/ merger, and what are some examples?

This merger makes words like 'bud' and 'bird' sound the same, typically pronounced as /ʌd/. It is found in some Jamaican English and scattered areas of England and Scotland, where the /r/ sound after the vowel is elided.

What is the 'coil–curl merger,' and what is its stereotypical association?

The coil-curl merger, where words like 'coil' and 'curl' become homophones, is famously associated with early 20th-century New York City English, often stereotyped as 'bird' sounding like 'boid.' This merger involves the realization of the NURSE vowel as a diphthong that merges with the CHOICE vowel.

What is 'up-gliding NURSE,' and where was it historically prominent?

Up-gliding NURSE refers to the diphthongization of the NURSE vowel (/ɜːr/) into [ɜːɪ]. This feature was historically prominent in older dialects of New York City, New Orleans, Charleston, and the Southern United States, particularly before World War I.

How has the prestige of rhoticity changed in the United States over time?

Initially influenced by British non-rhoticity, American prestige speech became non-rhotic in some areas. However, after World War II, rhotic speech gained significant prestige nationwide, becoming associated with 'General American' and perceived as more educated or standard.

What is the historical context for the shift from rhotic to non-rhotic speech in England?

The shift began in the mid-15th century with sporadic /r/ loss, accelerating in southeastern England from the late 18th century. By the early 19th century, the southern standard was fully non-rhotic, influenced by social prestige and perceived fashionability.

How does the presence of /r/ in native languages influence English pronunciation in regions like West Asia?

In West Asia, the phonotactics of native languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, and Persian, which inherently include /r/ sounds, often lead speakers to adopt rhotic English pronunciations. This contrasts with the non-rhotic trends found in other regions influenced by British English.

What is the 'father-bother merger,' and how does it relate to rhoticity?

The father-bother merger makes the vowels in words like 'father' and 'bother' identical. This merger is common in many non-rhotic accents and can interact with other vowel mergers, such as the cot-caught merger, to create a larger number of homophones.

What is the 'cot-caught merger,' and where is it commonly found?

The cot-caught merger is a phonological change where the vowels in words like 'cot' and 'caught' become identical, typically pronounced with a vowel like /ɔː/. This merger is characteristic of many non-rhotic accents, particularly in North America and parts of England.

How does the 'Great Vowel Shift' differ from the historical development of rhoticity?

The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in the pronunciation of long vowels in English that occurred between the 15th and 18th centuries. The loss of postvocalic /r/, which defines rhoticity, began later and developed independently, although the resulting vowel qualities in non-rhotic accents were influenced by the GVS.

What is the 'show–sure' or 'toad–toured' merger?

This merger involves the lexical sets GOAT (as in 'show') and CURE (as in 'sure') becoming homophones. It is found in accents that exhibit both the 'dough-door' merger and the 'pour-poor' merger, potentially leading to a four-way merger of related words.

How does the spelling of certain words reflect non-rhotic pronunciation?

Some spellings reflect non-rhotic pronunciations, such as 'er' and 'erm' used for filled pauses instead of 'uh' or 'um'. Additionally, transliterations of foreign words, like 'char siu' from Cantonese or 'dumsor' from Akan, may incorporate an /r/ due to non-rhotic pronunciation patterns.

What is the 'comma–letter merger' and its phonetic outcome?

The comma–letter merger involves the lexical sets COMMA and LETTER becoming homophones. In many non-rhotic accents, this results in the final unstressed vowel being realized as a schwa (/ə/), making words like 'area' and 'airier' sound identical.

What is the historical trajectory of rhoticity in New Zealand English?

New Zealand English is predominantly non-rhotic, influenced by British non-rhoticity. However, rhoticity is increasing, particularly among younger speakers and Pasifika communities, with historical pockets of rhoticity existing in Southland due to Scottish settlement.

What is the 'horse-hoarse merger' and its relation to rhoticity?

The horse-hoarse merger makes words like 'horse' and 'hoarse' sound the same. This often occurs in non-rhotic accents that also exhibit the 'caught-court' and 'pawn-porn' mergers, leading to a broader pattern of vowel mergers characteristic of these accents.

What is the 'pawn-porn merger' and in which accents is it common?

The pawn-porn merger causes words like 'pawn' and 'porn' to sound identical, typically pronounced with a vowel like /ɑː/. This merger is common in many non-rhotic accents, particularly in North America, and often co-occurs with other vowel mergers.

How does the influence of American English impact rhoticity in other English-speaking countries?

American English, being predominantly rhotic and widely influential through media, has led to an increase in rhoticity in many countries, including parts of Asia and Africa. This influence is also observed among younger generations in traditionally non-rhotic regions.

What is the 'cot-caught merger,' and how does it contribute to homophones in non-rhotic accents?

The cot-caught merger makes words like 'cot' and 'caught' sound the same, typically pronounced with a vowel like /ɔː/. This merger is characteristic of many non-rhotic accents and contributes to the creation of homophones, such as 'stock'/'stark' or 'clock'/'Clark' in some dialects.

What is the historical significance of John Walker's observations on /r/ pronunciation?

John Walker's 1791 dictionary noted the softening of /r/ in words like 'lard' to sound like a lengthened 'a.' This observation highlights the transition occurring in prestigious British English towards non-rhotic pronunciation during the late 18th century.

How does the 'weak vowel merger' contribute to homophones in non-rhotic accents like Australian English?

In non-rhotic accents such as Australian English, the weak vowel merger causes unstressed vowels, including the schwa (/ə/), to become indistinguishable. This leads to homophones like 'batted'/'battered' and 'pitches'/'pitchers,' where the final unstressed syllable is pronounced similarly.

What is the 'T-glottalization' phenomenon, and is it related to rhoticity?

T-glottalization is the pronunciation of /t/ as a glottal stop, often between vowels. While it is a common feature in many non-rhotic accents like Cockney, it is a separate phonological process not directly dependent on or caused by rhoticity.

What is the 'H-dropping' phenomenon, and how does it relate to rhoticity?

H-dropping is the omission of the /h/ sound at the beginning of words, a feature found in various accents. It is a separate phonological process that can occur in both rhotic and non-rhotic accents and is not directly linked to the presence or absence of postvocalic /r/.

What is the historical trajectory of rhoticity in England?

The loss of postvocalic /r/ in England began in the 15th century, becoming more widespread in the southeast from the late 18th century. By the early 19th century, the southern standard was non-rhotic, though rhoticity persisted in rural areas and the north, gradually declining throughout the 20th century.

What is the 'paw–poor' or 'law–lure' merger?

This merger occurs when words from the THOUGHT lexical set (like 'law') and the CURE lexical set (like 'lure') become homophones. It is found in accents that have both the 'caught-court' merger and the 'pour-poor' merger, potentially leading to a four-way merger.

What is the 'dough–door' merger?

The dough–door merger involves words from the GOAT lexical set (like 'dough') and the FORCE lexical set (like 'door') becoming homophones. This merger is found in some Southern US, African-American English, Guyanese, and Welsh accents.

How does the spelling 'Park' for the Korean surname reflect rhoticity?

The English spelling 'Park' for the Korean surname 박 (pronounced [pak] without an /r/ in Korean) illustrates how non-rhotic pronunciation can influence orthography. In rhotic accents, spelling pronunciation often leads to the /r/ being pronounced, even if it wasn't originally present in the source language.

What is the historical significance of the shift in American prestige from non-rhotic to rhotic speech?

The shift reflects changing social dynamics in the US. Post-WWII, rhotic speech became associated with national media and the 'General American' standard, gaining prestige over non-rhotic accents, which became linked to older, regional, or less educated speech patterns.

What are some examples of homophones created by the /ɑː/–/ɑːr/ merger?

This merger, common in most non-rhotic accents, makes words from the PALM and START lexical sets sound the same. Examples include 'alms'/'arms', 'balmy'/'barmy', and 'father'/'farther' becoming homophones.

What is the 'caught-court' merger, and how does it relate to rhoticity?

The caught-court merger makes words like 'caught' and 'court' sound identical, typically pronounced with a vowel like /ɔː/. This merger is common in many non-rhotic accents and often occurs alongside other vowel mergers, contributing to the distinct sound of these dialects.

How does the 'Great Vowel Shift' influence the realization of vowels in non-rhotic accents?

The Great Vowel Shift altered the pronunciation of long vowels in English. The resulting vowel qualities in different dialects influenced how the subsequent loss of postvocalic /r/ was realized, leading to features like compensatory lengthening and diphthongization in non-rhotic accents.

What is the 'comma–letter merger,' and how does it differ from the 'coil–curl merger'?

The comma–letter merger affects unstressed final syllables, making words like 'area' and 'airier' homophones (/ə/). The coil–curl merger affects stressed syllables, making words like 'coil' and 'curl' homophones (/əl/), and is particularly associated with New York City English.

What is the historical reason for rhoticity in Philippine English?

Philippine English is predominantly rhotic, likely due to the influence of American English and the linguistic patterns of Spanish, which is itself a rhotic language.

Rhoticity In English Wiki: The R-Factor: Unpacking English Rhoticity

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Introduction to Rhoticity

Defining Rhoticity

The distinction between rhotic and non-rhotic pronunciation is a fundamental characteristic differentiating various English language dialects. In rhotic accents, the historical English rhotic consonant, represented phonetically as /r/, is preserved across all phonetic environments. Conversely, in non-rhotic accents, speakers omit the /r/ sound in post-vocalic positions—that is, when it appears immediately after a vowel and is not followed by another vowel.^[1]^[2]

Pronunciation Differences

Consider the word "farmer." A rhotic speaker pronounces it as /ˈfɑːrmər/, retaining the /r/ sound at the end. A non-rhotic speaker, however, would pronounce it as /ˈfɑːmə/, effectively dropping the final /r/. This phenomenon is known as "r-dropping" or "r-deletion."^[a]

Linking and Intrusive R

An interesting nuance arises when a word ending in a written 'r' is followed by a word beginning with a vowel. For instance, in the phrase "better apples," most non-rhotic speakers will pronounce the /r/ in this context, a phenomenon termed the "linking R." This occurs because the /r/ is now followed by a vowel sound.^[5] Some non-rhotic speakers may also insert an /r/ sound between vowels where it is not etymologically present, known as "intrusive R," though this is often stigmatized.

Historical Trajectory

Origins of Non-Rhoticity

The gradual loss of post-vocalic /r/ in English began sporadically in England around the mid-15th century. Initially, these instances were infrequent and primarily documented in private writings, often by women. By the mid-18th century, the deletion of post-vocalic /r/ became more pronounced, particularly after low vowels. By the early 19th century, the southern British standard had largely transitioned to a non-rhotic variety, although some variation persisted into the late 19th century.^[2]

Transatlantic Influence

In the 18th century, the adoption of non-rhotic pronunciation in certain British English circles influenced American port cities with strong ties to Britain. This led to upper-class pronunciations in these areas becoming non-rhotic. Meanwhile, other regions in America maintained their rhoticity, preserving the older pronunciation patterns.^[9] Non-rhoticity in America held prestige until the mid-19th century. Following the American Civil War, a shift occurred, favoring rhotic accents, which became increasingly prestigious nationwide, especially after World War II, aligning with the emerging standard of mass media.^[11]

England's Shifting Landscape

While rhoticity was once widespread in England, non-rhotic accents now dominate. However, pockets of rhoticity persist, particularly in the West Country and areas bordering Scotland. The influence of prestige forms has exerted continuous pressure towards non-rhoticity, leading to variable rhoticity in urban centers like Bristol and Southampton, where the degree of rhoticity often correlates with social class and formality.^[45]

Contemporary Pronunciation Patterns

R-Dissimilation

General American English often exhibits "r-dissimilation," where the /r/ sound is dropped in non-final, unstressed syllables if another syllable within the same word also contains an /r/. This is observed in words like "surprise" or "governor." However, in more careful speech, all /r/ sounds are typically retained.^[32]

Compensatory Lengthening

In many non-rhotic accents, the elision of a post-vocalic /r/ often leads to the lengthening of the preceding vowel. This phenomenon, known as compensatory lengthening, means that words like "card" or "fern" might be pronounced with a longer vowel sound, such as [kɑːd] or [fɜːn] in Received Pronunciation (RP).^[30]

Vowel Modifications

For non-rhotic speakers, vowels that historically preceded an /r/ often undergo modification. For instance, the vowels in "near" and "poor" may become diphthongs ending in schwa ([ɪə] and [ʊə], respectively) in RP. These phonetic realizations can vary significantly across different non-rhotic dialects.^[30]

Global Distribution

United Kingdom

Most accents in England and Wales are non-rhotic, a trend that has solidified over the past centuries. However, rhoticity persists in areas bordering Scotland, in parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and notably in the West Country. The prestige associated with southern English non-rhotic speech continues to influence regional variations.

North America

Canadian English and the majority of American English dialects are rhotic. While non-rhoticity was once prestigious in parts of the Eastern United States (e.g., New York City, Boston, parts of the South), rhoticity has become dominant, particularly since the mid-20th century. Non-rhoticity remains prevalent in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) across the country and among older speakers in specific Southern regions.

Oceania & South Africa

Accents in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are predominantly non-rhotic. Exceptions include specific regional pockets in New Zealand influenced by Scottish settlers and certain varieties of South African English. However, American English influence is gradually increasing rhoticity in some of these regions, particularly among younger speakers.

Ireland & Asia

Most Irish English accents are rhotic, reflecting historical influences. Non-rhoticity is found in some Dublin dialects and specific areas near the border with Northern Ireland. In Asia, English pronunciation varies; many East Asian varieties are rhotic due to American influence, while others, like Malaysian and Singaporean English, tend to be non-rhotic, often reflecting British RP influence.

Characteristic Mergers in Non-Rhotic Accents

Phonemic Mergers

Non-rhotic accents often exhibit specific phonemic mergers, where words that were historically distinct become homophones. These mergers typically involve a vowel that historically occurred before an /r/ and a vowel that did not. These phenomena are key markers of non-rhotic speech.

/ɪə/–/eə/ Merger

In many non-rhotic accents, the vowels in the lexical sets NEAR (/ɪə/) and SQUARE (/eə/) merge. This results in pairs like "peer" and "pair" being pronounced identically, often as [eə] or a similar sound.^[85]

Homophonous Pairs (/eə/)
NEAR (/eə/)	SQUARE (/eə/)	IPA	Notes
bay	bare, bear	[beə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
day	dare	[deə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
face	fared	[feəd]
fade	fared	[feəd]
hay	hair, hare	[heə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
K	care	[keə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
may	mare	[meə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
pay	pair, pear	[peə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
ray	rare	[reə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
they	their, there	[ðeə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.
way, weigh	wear	[weə]	In fully non-rhotic varieties.

/ɑː/–/ɑːr/ Merger

A widespread merger in non-rhotic accents involves the vowels from the PALM (/ɑː/) and START (/ɑːr/) lexical sets. This typically results in words like "father" and "farther" becoming homophones, both pronounced with a lengthened /ɑː/ sound.^[89]

Homophonous Pairs (/ɑː/)
PALM (/ɑː/)	START (/ɑːr/)	IPA	Notes
alms	arms	[ɑːmz]
balmy	barmy	[bɑːmi]
calmer	karma	[kɑːmə]	Calmer can also be pronounced with /l/: [kɑːlmə].
father	farther	[fɑːðə]
Ghana	garner	[ɡɑːnə]
lava	larva	[lɑːvə]
ma	mar	[mɑː]
pa	par	[pɑː]
spa	spar	[spɑː]

/ʌ/–/ɜːr/ Merger

Another significant merger, particularly in certain American dialects, is between the STRUT (/ʌ/) and NURSE (/ɜːr/) lexical sets. This leads to words like "bud" and "bird" being pronounced identically, typically as [bʌd].^[71]

Homophonous Pairs (/ʌ/)
STRUT (/ʌ/)	START (/ɑːr/)	IPA
buck	bark	[bʌk]
bud	bard	[bʌd]
bud	barred	[bʌd]
budge	barge	[bʌdʒ]
bun	barn	[bʌn]
butt	Bart	[bʌt]
cup	carp	[kʌp]
cut	cart	[kʌt]
duck	dirk	[dʌk]
fun	fern	[fʌn]
fussed	first	[fʌst]
gull	girl	[ɡʌl]
hull	hurl	[hʌl]
hut	hurt	[hʌt]
luck	lurk	[lʌk]
muck	murk	[mʌk]
puck	perk	[pʌk]
pus	purse	[pʌs]
shut	shirt	[ʃʌt]
spun	spurn	[spʌn]
stud	stirred	[stʌd]
such	search	[sʌtʃ]
suck	cirque	[sʌk]
sully	surly	[sʌli]
ton(ne)	tern, turn	[tʌn]
tough	turf	[tʌf]
tuck	Turk	[tʌk]

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References

Paul Skandera, Peter Burleigh, A Manual of English Phonetics and Phonology, Gunter Narr Verlag, 2011, p. 60.

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

Wakelyn, Martin: "Rural dialects in England", in: Trudgill, Peter (1984): Language in the British Isles, p.77

Brinton, Lauren and Leslie Arnovick. The English Language: A Linguistic History. Oxford University Press: Canada, 2006.

Wells (1982), pp. 136â37, 203â6, 234, 245â47, 339â40, 400, 419, 443, 576.

Clive and Eben Upton (2004), p. 60.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Rhoticity in English Wikipedia page

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This content has been generated by Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. It is intended for academic and informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, the information may not be entirely up-to-date or exhaustive. Linguistic phenomena are complex and subject to ongoing research and variation.

This is not professional linguistic advice. The information provided herein should not substitute consultation with qualified linguists, phoneticians, or dialectologists for specific research or analytical needs. Always refer to primary academic sources and consult with experts for definitive interpretations.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided. Users are encouraged to critically evaluate the content and consult original sources for verification.

The R-Factor: Unpacking English Rhoticity

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Introduction to Rhoticity 🗣️

🔊 Defining Rhoticity

👂 Pronunciation Differences

🔗 Linking and Intrusive R

Historical Trajectory ⏳

📜 Origins of Non-Rhoticity

🌍 Transatlantic Influence

📊 England's Shifting Landscape

Contemporary Pronunciation Patterns 📈

🗣️ R-Dissimilation

🔄 Compensatory Lengthening

💡 Vowel Modifications

Global Distribution 🌍

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇺🇸 North America

🇦🇺 Oceania & South Africa

🇮🇪 Ireland & Asia

Characteristic Mergers in Non-Rhotic Accents ↔️

🔠 Phonemic Mergers

🔠 /ɪə/–/eə/ Merger

🔠 /ɑː/–/ɑːr/ Merger

🔠 /ʌ/–/ɜːr/ Merger

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Introduction to Rhoticity

Defining Rhoticity

Pronunciation Differences

Linking and Intrusive R

Historical Trajectory

Origins of Non-Rhoticity

Transatlantic Influence

England's Shifting Landscape

Contemporary Pronunciation Patterns

R-Dissimilation

Compensatory Lengthening

Vowel Modifications

Global Distribution

United Kingdom

North America

Oceania & South Africa

Ireland & Asia

Characteristic Mergers in Non-Rhotic Accents

Phonemic Mergers

/ɪə/–/eə/ Merger

/ɑː/–/ɑːr/ Merger

/ʌ/–/ɜːr/ Merger

Teacher's Corner

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References

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