Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
r-color
Noun
ˈɑːr ˌkʌlər
Definition
A term used in linguistics to describe a feature in some dialects of English where the “r” sound is pronounced more prominently in certain contexts.
Examples
- The word ‘car’ in r-colored speech sounds more like ‘cahr.’
- Dialectal variations often showcase r-color in regions like New York City.
- In r-colored accents, the ‘r’ in ‘bird’ is more pronounced than in non-r-colored accents.
Meaning
r-coloring occurs when an ‘r’ sound influences the pronunciation of a preceding vowel, creating a distinctive sound quality often found in certain American English dialects.
Synonyms
- Rhotacism
- Rhoticity
