Intrusive /r/ Vs. Linking /r/

Shady Abuyusuf

Sun, 24 Nov 2024

384

In English phonology, the difference between intrusive /r/ and linking /r/ lies in their function and occurrence within speech. Both phenomena feature the intrusive or linking of the /r/ sound in connected speech, but they originate from distinct environments or contexts. Let’s discuss both concepts in detail with examples.

1. Linking /r/:

Linking /r/ refers to the /r/ sound that is pronounced at the end of a word when the subsequent word starts with a vowel sound. It links the words together to facilitate smooth speech fluidity. In many non-rhotic accents of English (such as British Received Pronunciation, Australian, or New Zealand English), the /r/ is dropped when it appears at the end of a word and is followed by a consonant or pause. However, if a word ending in /r/ precedes a word starting with a vowel, the /r/ is pronounced to maintain connected speech.

Examples of linking /r/:

– “four apples” [fɔːr ˈæpl̩z] (The /r/ sound at the end of “four” links the two words together as the following word “apples” begins with a vowel sound.)

– “car owner” [kɑːr ˈəʊnər] (The /r/ sound at the end of “car” links the two words together as the following word “owner” begins with a vowel sound.)

– “bear attack” [beər əˈtæk] (The /r/ sound at the end of “bear” links the two words together as the following word “attack” begins with a vowel sound.)

2. Intrusive /r/:

Intrusive /r/ occurs when an /r/ sound is inserted between two words, where it does not historically belong. It typically happens when the first word ends in the vowel sounds /ə/ (schwa), /ɪə/, /ɑː/, or /ɔː/ and the next word starts with a vowel sound. The phenomenon is observed primarily in non-rhotic accents of English, where the /r/ is inserted to eliminate the vowel hiatus and improve speech flow.

Examples of intrusive /r/:

– “idea of” [aɪˈdɪər əv] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “idea” and “of” to eliminate the hiatus between two vowel sounds.)

– “drawing oranges” [ˈdrɔːrɪŋ ˈɒrɪndʒɪz] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “drawing” and “oranges” to eliminate the hiatus between two vowel sounds.)

– “media event” [ˈmiːdɪər ɪˈvent] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “media” and “event” to eliminate the hiatus between two vowel sounds.)

In summary, linking /r/ and intrusive /r/ are phonological phenomena that occur in non-rhotic accents primarily to maintain connected speech and prevent vowel hiatus. Linking /r/ is the realisation of the /r/ sound at the end of a word when the following word starts with a vowel sound. In contrast, intrusive /r/ is the insertion of an /r/ sound between two words where it does not historically belong in order to eliminate the hiatus between consecutive vowel sounds.