In the previous chapters, we examined the vowel inventories across varieties of English, noting that historical changes in English, as well as the influence of different languages, have resulted in substantial differences in how English is spoken around the world.We also mentioned that rhoticity – the production of the ‘r’ sound after a vowel in words such as car and hear – impacts the number of vowels in different varieties of English.Rhoticity is one of the main phonological features distinguishing different varieties; therefore, in this chapter, we will discuss rhoticity in more depth. The chapter first focuses on defining and measuring rhoticity, particularly in terms of formants, which were introduced in Chapter 2. A detailed discussion of both historical and current patterns of rhoticity in varieties of English is then presented. The chapter also discusses /r/-sandhi in varieties of English, and the relationship between /r/-sandhi and rhoticity.

In the final section of the chapter, you will be guided through exercises designed to check your understanding of the content in the chapter. You will also be guided through an analysis of rhoticity in your own English.

This chapter examines sex differences in the data on General North American English and also considers LGBT speech in film and television performances.

This chapter examines correlations between phonetic measures and performance year, thereby identifying the progress of sound change in General North American English across eight decades. It also presents the phonetic qualities of modern General North American English and traces the evolution of those qualities in the speech of four Californian actors from the early and late periods.

This chapter examines variation and change in the speech of performances by actors from the New York City region.