keannu
VIP Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Korean
- Home Country
- South Korea
- Current Location
- South Korea
I guess this question could be answered by North Americans.
As you have experienced, in the mid-western part of America, they pronounce the volwel [ɔ]in talk, thought, caught same as [a] in cot or doll, but in eastern part of American, they distinguish the two.
I even saw two Canadian sisters whose elder pronounces talk[ta:k]. and the younger does talk[tɔ:k].
According to a statistics, the ratio between cot-caught merged people and non cot-caught merged people in the states is 43:57 which shows a slight more preference of the distinguished trend.
Does American English have any standard form? They don't seem to have any formal language and make the difference with many dialects. When foreigners learn English, which state's language is appointed or how do they appoint the pronunciation standard to teach foreigners? We normally learn talk[tɔ:k], but when we meet many Americans, we can hear talk[ta:k] a lot as well.
As foreigners, which do we have to follow when we learn English? A good opinion of any North American would be highly appreciated.
As you have experienced, in the mid-western part of America, they pronounce the volwel [ɔ]in talk, thought, caught same as [a] in cot or doll, but in eastern part of American, they distinguish the two.
I even saw two Canadian sisters whose elder pronounces talk[ta:k]. and the younger does talk[tɔ:k].
According to a statistics, the ratio between cot-caught merged people and non cot-caught merged people in the states is 43:57 which shows a slight more preference of the distinguished trend.
Does American English have any standard form? They don't seem to have any formal language and make the difference with many dialects. When foreigners learn English, which state's language is appointed or how do they appoint the pronunciation standard to teach foreigners? We normally learn talk[tɔ:k], but when we meet many Americans, we can hear talk[ta:k] a lot as well.
As foreigners, which do we have to follow when we learn English? A good opinion of any North American would be highly appreciated.