English accents

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shrdlu_junction - 17 Jan 2010 23:37 GMT

I've noticed a tendency for English people, particularly the younger
ones, to pronounce words like "cook" sort of like "kerk". Has anyone
else noticed this, and does anyone know its origin? Are we having a
new "vowel shift"??

My background:
Manchester, UK age 0-5
Sydney, Australia age 5+
Melbourne, Australia, London UK for varying periods up to 2 years
Attended university in Sydney and Melbourne

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Peter Duncanson (BrE) - 18 Jan 2010 00:03 GMT

>I've noticed a tendency for English people, particularly the younger
>ones, to pronounce words like "cook" sort of like "kerk". Has anyone
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Melbourne, Australia, London UK for varying periods up to 2 years
>Attended university in Sydney and Melbourne

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Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)

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Peter Duncanson (BrE) - 18 Jan 2010 00:08 GMT

>I've noticed a tendency for English people, particularly the younger
>ones, to pronounce words like "cook" sort of like "kerk". Has anyone
>else noticed this, and does anyone know its origin? Are we having a
>new "vowel shift"??

Yes it has been noticed and mentioned in alt.usage.english and possibly
also here in alt.english.usage.

Just a note for the benefit of those who sound their "r"s. The "r" in
"kerk" is silent. Some people have said that the sound of "cook" is
close to "kick".

As far as I know this change is happening in only some varieties or
areas of England.

>My background:
>Manchester, UK age 0-5
>Sydney, Australia age 5+
>Melbourne, Australia, London UK for varying periods up to 2 years
>Attended university in Sydney and Melbourne

Signature

Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)

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Pete - 18 Jan 2010 15:56 GMT

shrdlu_junction <rbesdans@bigpond.net.au> wrote in news:d7e07348-768e-4277-
9f24-3588fb3fba35@e27g2000yqd.googlegroups.com:

> I've noticed a tendency for English people, particularly the younger
> ones, to pronounce words like "cook" sort of like "kerk". Has anyone
> else noticed this, and does anyone know its origin? Are we having a
> new "vowel shift"??

Maybe it's our fixed smiles. 'Kerk' is manageable, but 'cook' demands an
unnattractive narrowing of the aperture.

P. (London)

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2010

English accents