Referring to the characteristic of articulating the English phoneme /r/ (the 'r' sound) in speech. This typically involves the trilling, flapping, or retroflexing of the tongue, or the use of a rhotic accent, where the /r/ sound is pronounced in words like 'car' or 'park' even when it isn't followed by a vowel. r-pronouncing accents vary geographically, with some, like those in North America and parts of the UK, being strongly r-pronouncing, while others, such as non-rhotic accents of the UK and parts of the world, may drop or soften the 'r' sound. The degree of r-pronunciation can also depend on individual speech patterns.
R-pronouncing meaning with examples
- The American actor's speech was clearly r-pronouncing, effortlessly rolling the 'r' in words like 'story' and 'forest'. His accent, easily identified by the distinct 'r' sound, contrasted sharply with the character's imagined British background. The consistent pronunciation of the 'r' in the script added another dimension to his already strong role.
- During her linguistics lecture, the professor discussed the evolution of r-pronouncing dialects. She highlighted how historical factors and geographical isolation influenced the way the 'r' sound has changed, providing many examples of how different communities pronounce the 'r'. The students listened intently as she illustrated her points, demonstrating its impact on language.
- Many tourists visiting Boston quickly pick up the local r-pronouncing accent, characterized by the hard 'r' sounds in many words that would be silent elsewhere. The city's unique speech patterns influence visitors to naturally shift their pronunciation. It contributes greatly to the culture there, which new arrivals must adapt to.
- She found that many of her older relatives were strongly r-pronouncing, whereas her children spoke with a more softened accent influenced by other families. She was aware that changes in pronunciation and the articulation of sounds were constantly evolving, with new generations often adapting how they pronounce the 'r' sound.