R-labialization
Encyclopedia
R-labialization is a process occurring in certain dialect
s of the English language
, particularly Cockney
, in which the /r/ phoneme is realized as a labiodental approximant
[ʋ] in contrast to an alveolar approximant [ɹ]. To English speakers who are not used to [ʋ], this sounds nearly indistinguishable from /w/.
Use of labiodental /r/ is commonly stigmatized by prescriptivists
who suggest standards of correctness within the English language. Regardless, the consonant [ʋ] is used in a variety of other languages and is increasing in many accents of British English
. The majority of speakers using this realization are from the southeastern part of the country, particularly in London
. It is also occasionally heard in some speakers of Boston
and New York City
English, though more often in an exaggerated parody of these dialects, as famously portrayed by the Looney Toons character Elmer Fudd
.
The /r/ realization may not always be labiodental: bilabial and velarized
labiodental realizations have been reported.
R-labialization leads to pronunciations such as the following:
However, replacement of /r/ by some kind of labial approximant may also occur as symptom of a speech defect, called rhotacism, or, more precisely, derhotacization.
Dialect
The term dialect is used in two distinct ways, even by linguists. One usage refers to a variety of a language that is a characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors,...
s of the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, particularly Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
, in which the /r/ phoneme is realized as a labiodental approximant
Labiodental approximant
The labiodental approximant is a type of consonantal sound, similar to an English double-u pronounced with the teeth and lips held in the position used to articulate the letter vee, used in some spoken languages...
[ʋ] in contrast to an alveolar approximant [ɹ]. To English speakers who are not used to [ʋ], this sounds nearly indistinguishable from /w/.
Use of labiodental /r/ is commonly stigmatized by prescriptivists
Linguistic prescription
In linguistics, prescription denotes normative practices on such aspects of language use as spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and syntax. It includes judgments on what usages are socially proper and politically correct...
who suggest standards of correctness within the English language. Regardless, the consonant [ʋ] is used in a variety of other languages and is increasing in many accents of British English
British English
British English, or English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere...
. The majority of speakers using this realization are from the southeastern part of the country, particularly in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is also occasionally heard in some speakers of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
English, though more often in an exaggerated parody of these dialects, as famously portrayed by the Looney Toons character Elmer Fudd
Elmer Fudd
Elmer J. Fudd/Egghead is a fictional cartoon character and one of the most famous Looney Tunes characters, and the de facto archenemy of Bugs Bunny. He has one of the more disputed origins in the Warner Bros. cartoon pantheon . His aim is to hunt Bugs, but he usually ends up seriously injuring...
.
The /r/ realization may not always be labiodental: bilabial and velarized
Velarization
Velarization is a secondary articulation of consonants by which the back of the tongue is raised toward the velum during the articulation of the consonant.In the International Phonetic Alphabet, velarization is transcribed by one of three diacritics:...
labiodental realizations have been reported.
R-labialization leads to pronunciations such as the following:
- red - [ʋɛd]
- ring - [ʋɪŋ]
- rabbit - [ʋæbɪt]
- merry Christmas - [mɛʋi kʋɪsmɪs]
However, replacement of /r/ by some kind of labial approximant may also occur as symptom of a speech defect, called rhotacism, or, more precisely, derhotacization.