The English R Sound

The most common 'R' sound in English speech is known as a post-alveolar frictionless continuant.

To form this sound

The soft palate is raised to prevent the passage of air through the nose. The tongue tip is curled back behind the gum ridge, while the side rims of the tongue contact the upper side teeth. It is important that the tongue does not make contact with the roof of the mouth. The teeth are held slightly apart. The lips are usually held in a neutral position, although they may round if the sound is followed by a vowel with lip rounding such as OO or AW.

Formation of the R sound

Occurrence of R in English

R is usually pronounced before or between vowels. In common English speech it is never said when it precedes a consonant. This rule applies to the speaking of a word: not to its spelling. For example in the spelling of the word 'deferred' the R appears before a vowel; but when we speak it it would have to be said before a consonant, therefore,

in accordance with the rule, the R sound is NOT pronounced in the word 'deferred'.

The forgoing rule is not true of American English, where the R sound IS said before consonants and at the ends of words. Usually the R which is heard at the end of a word like 'other', is not a separate sound from the vowel but is actually a curling back of the tip of the tongue as the vowel is said. This curling back of the tongue during the formation of a vowel is known, technically, as retroflexion.

When, in connected speech, the R sound is followed by a vowel beginning a succeeding word, it is customary to pronounce the R and this is known as 'linking R'. For example, in the sentence "There is a book', the R is followed immediately by the T of is and the R sound would usually be spoken.

MAIN FAULTS

Uvular R

Occasionally a variety of R is heard where the uvula is allowed to vibrate against the back of the tongue, or air is forced between the uvula and the back of the tongue with audible friction. This is frequently heard from French and German speakers of English. It is a feature of certain varieties of North Eastern Dialect.

The position of the organs of speech in uvular R (left) and labiodental R (right) is in strong contrast to the correct position shown previously

FORMING R- METHOD 1

1. Say a long, sustained SH sound followed by the vowel ER. Keep the tongue in the position for SH as you try to say ER. The sound produced should approximate to a R sound.

2. Repeat the exercise above, but follow the ER sound with the following vowels. Make sure that after the ER the tongue falls from behind the gum ridge to behind the lower teeth:

It is important to keep the tongue curled back while speaking the ER sound in this exercise.

3. Using a mirror, say ER and continue to make the sound as the tongue is curled back behind the gum ridge. The tongue should be raised to show its underside in the mirror.

4. Repeat exercise 3, but make a long, continuous ER sound and raise and lower the tongue to behind the lower teeth. The movement of the tongue should be done strongly. At no time should the tongue contact either the gum ridge or the hard palate. This exercise should be repeated until a strong R is heard when the tongue is lowered.

5. Say a long ER sound, at the same time curl the tongue behind the gum ridge. Lower the tongue sustaining the vowel ER and then form the following vowels when the tip of the tongue is behind the lower teeth:

6. Once the R sound has been achieved in association with SH and ER, repeat the following words, three times each:

As the R is formed feel the tongue curl just a little further back in the mouth and move away from the gum ridge.

7. Having established the R sound in conjunction with SH, speak the following words, forming SH but making no sound. Only make the word audible when the tongue is drawn back for the R sound:

8. When the R has been established in this way, use the list of words at the end of this section for practice.

Remember the CURLING back of the tongue; do it slowly and gradually speed up.

FORMINGR - METHOD2

1. Use the exercises on page 73 for mobility and flexibility of the tongue.

2. Cut a piece of fairly thick card to the dimensions shown and hold it in the position illustrated in the diagram, between the front upper and lower teeth.

Say the following vowel sounds, making sure that the tongue is curled back and does not, at any time, fall to touch the point of the card. A sound approximating to R should be heard:

3. Repeat exercise 2 but speak the vowel again, after the R is heard. At the same time remove the card and allow the tongue tip to fall behind the lower teeth.

4. Repeat exercise 3 without the assistance of the card.

5. Continue practice with the words that follow.

The English R Sound

Remember to keep the teeth apart and the tongue curled, without contacting the roof of the mouth, on the R sound.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1155