In studying the British dialect, I am baffled by the rendition of the letter "r". Typically, I hear that word "saw" pronounced "soar". Often the letter is pronounced in words ending with the letter "a" -- tacking on a non-existent "r" phonic. (ie, "mommer" for mama,, like in the Slade song "Did Your Mama Ever Tell Ya") And yet words that end in the letter "r" that letter is typically not pronounced at all. (ie, well, it's not spoken in the song, but the Led Zep song title, "D'yer Mak'er"...jer-make'a) [sorry for the intentional odd music examples]

And so, whenever I attempt speaking with a British accent, I first pick a region, then turn usage of the "r" letter upside down.

In fairness, some of that "r" business is prominent in the USA's northeast territories -- especially New York. Annoyingly, when attempting to pronounce the word "extraordinary" (which is typically spoken as "ex'trah'dinary")

Why so much trouble with the letter R?


* please, no flames...this is merely observationist. I live in the deep south and mock redneck-speak daily, much to the amusement of my redneck co-workers, friendly fire.