Pronunciation of the letter "R"

[TheNewOne]

Hello!
I notice that the "R" letter (sound) is swallowed in some American and British accents and in some accents I hear a really hard "R".
For example: It's [har)d] [for)] me to understand.
Does it make any difference for native speakers? Or is it just a marker of the accent?

 

[Raymott]

Hello!
I notice that the "R" letter (sound) is swallowed in some American and British accents and in some accents I hear a really hard "R".
For example: It's [har)d] [for)] me to understand.
Does it make any difference for native speakers? Or is it just a marker of the accent?

I've never found /r/ to be a problem in understanding accents. French, German, Italian speakers say /r/ differently, but it's rarely this sound that makes their accent difficult at times.

 

[johnnyjp]

I have a similar question: even American english, sometimes R is ommited. Is there a rule when to speak hard R and when to skip it in American english? I cant think of any example right now, but I recall that I've heard it a couple of times on TV and in some songs (by American performers of course).

 

[konungursvia]

I have a similar question: even American english, sometimes R is ommited. Is there a rule when to speak hard R and when to skip it in American english? I cant think of any example right now, but I recall that I've heard it a couple of times on TV and in some songs (by American performers of course).

Dropping the r is rare in American English. In Boston and the outlying areas, and a few more places, it is common, but overall, you won't encounter it much. I would forget the issue and pronounce the r as most Americans do (that is, if it is American English you're after).