English phonology

Phonology of the English language History and description ofEnglish pronunciation Historical stages Old English Middle English General development In Old English In Scots Development of vowels A Close back Close front Diphthongs Great Vowel Shift Open back Pre-L Pre-R Development of consonants Single consonants Clusters Variable features Cot–caught merger Drawl Flapping Flat A H-dropping L-vocalization NG R Rhoticity T-glottalization TH WH Related topics History of English Spelling vte , / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters. English phonology is the system of sounds used in spoken English. Like many languages, English has wide variation in pronunciation, both historically and from dialect to dialect. In general, however, the dialects of English around the world have largely similar (but not identical) phonological systems. Among other things, most dialects have vowel reduction in unstressed syllables and a complex set of phonological features that distinguish fortis and lenis consonants (stops, affricates, and fricatives). Phonological analysis of English often concentrates on prestige or standard accents, such as Received Pronunciation for England, G