R-Less Vowel #3

R-Less Vowel #3 /ɔː/

This R-less vowel is special because is used not only for non-rhotic words but also as a sound in other types of words.

Lets start with the "elegant lady"

This video has a mistake, the word "law" (at the end) was transcribed as /sɔː/ which is the transcription for "saw". The transcription for law is /lɔː/.

This sound is particularly LONG, that is very important to have in mind. Twice as long as a regular vowel. With the ears of a spanish speaker would be described as a very exaggerated "o".

This vowel is very english, I will give you some examples for those in the British system and some other for those in the american system.

Non-Rhotic /ɔː/

For /fɔː/, /fə/

Sure /ʃɔː/

Store /stɔː/

Your /jɔː/, /jə/

Corner /kɔːnə/

English words with /ɔː/:

Audio /ɔːdəʊ/

Awesome /ɔːsəm/

Fraud /fɹɔːd/

Water /wɔːtə/

Now this words sound very different in other dialects, lets go with the American pronunciation.

Rhotic words:

For /fɔɹ/, /fɚ/

Sure /ʃʊɹ/

Store /stɔɹ/

Your /jʊɹ/, /jɔr/, /jɚ/.

Corner /kɔɹnɚ/

Regular words:

Audio /ɑːdioʊ/

Awesome /ɑsəm/

Fraud /frɑːd/

Water /wɒɾɚ/

As you can see there is less variation in the british system, then again is up to you wether you want to study using the British or the American system.

Remember you can consult sounds and symbols here.

and a dictionary with phonetics here.