Re: retroflex consonants

Joseph Fatula scripsit:

> Peter and I are discussing retroflex and non-retroflex approximant R in
> American English.  In my dialect, it's non-retroflex.
I think the non-retroflex version, in which the tongue is bunched up in
the mouth, is actually pretty common.  In my case, the difference
between l and r is that in l, the tongue tip is making alveolar contact,
whereas in r, it's not touching anything.

Larry Niven's proper name "Halrloprillilar", when enunciated by me,
comes out with /alrlo/ as a rapid double-tonguing.

--
John Cowan                                jcowan@reutershealth.com
At times of peril or dubitation,          http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
Perform swift circular ambulation,        http://www.reutershealth.com
With loud and high-pitched ululation.

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