Message: "There is if you're not North American . . ."

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Opinions] There is if you're not North American . . .

by Chrisell

7/29/2007, 5:46 AM

We have this problem a lot on this site, when it comes to pronunciations. The UK and Australia have a set of very short vowels that North American English (in all of its accents) doesn't have.

I don't know if you've ever heard someone from the UK say the word "lorry", but that very short 'o' is the sound that Poppylena is trying to describe. Since it doesn't occur in North American English, there's no way to transcribe it under this board's transcription rules.

edit: changed 'American' to 'North American' to clarify.

This message was edited 7/29/2007, 5:47 AM

Replies

- LMS

7/30/2007, 8:25 AM

I am American and I understand what the 'o' sounds like. I think it's not that it is not understandable, just never used here in the US. The 'o' is even hard to describe. The best I could do is to say that it is an 'auo' sound, but that looks rediculous and is impossible to say based on the way it looks. I can say it though. :)

- sa (guest)

7/29/2007, 7:21 AM

Canadian English, as spoken in the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario, usually differentiates between them. I'd agree that the differences are lost in Prairie accents, only to sneak back in BC's more eastern-canadian accent (though that's probably the fault of all the Aussies and English in Vancouver and Victoria).

- Calanthe

7/29/2007, 5:59 AM

Ah, OK. I understand. Thanks!

View Message

Replies