THE LETTER "R"

 

GENERAL RULE

In British English, the letter R is only pronounced when followed by a vowel.      

sorry  /sɒrɪ

In American English, people pronounce this letter always.   

 teacher 

 BrE  ti:tʃə/ Am E /ti:tʃər/

  LINKING R

In BrE a final -R is silent because it is not followed by a vowel, so TEACHER is pronounced /ti:tʃə/.

But if that word is followed by another word that begins with a vowel, then the R is pronounced:

He's the new teacher of maths  R is pronounced "teacherofmaths"

This final R that joins one word with the next is called a "linking R".

My car isn't blue.    [maɪ kɑː Rɪzənt bluː] Far away [fɑː Rə weɪ] In your arms [ɪn jɔː Rɑːmz] Never again [nevə Rə ɡen] More ideas [mɔː Raɪ dɪəz]  Better example [betə Rɪɡzɑːmpl]

 

  INTRUSIVE R

In BrE, words ending in R sometimes pronounce it (linking R) and sometimes don't pronounce it.

Natives when there are words that end in a vowel but when the next word begins with a vowel, they use an / r / to join both words.

 They use a "linking R" in the wrong place. We call that an "intrusive R", and it happens a lot in BrE.

A book about Africa and America  many British people will pronounce this "africarandamerica"

Africa Rand America           A banana Rand an apple        Tuna Romelette

law Rand order        draw Rand paint        I saw Ra film last night.      I saw Rit too. My dog's paw Ris dirty.

Is your grandma R okay?