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Mercyful_fate Posted 15 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation

Is there any difference between these two sounds

aw and a?
  

Top answer

There is some variation in how/which phonetic symbols are used (and the first set does not actually use symbols), but I suspect that this is the difference: aw as in call, caught, brought. a? as in cow, round, spout

— Mister Micawber

  • There is some variation in how/which phonetic symbols are used (and the first set does not actually use symbols), but I suspect that this is the difference: aw as in call, caught, brought.
  • a?
  • as in cow, round, spout
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4 Answers
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There is some variation in how/which phonetic symbols are used (and the first set does not actually use symbols), but I suspect that this is the difference:

aw as in call, caught, brought.
a? as in cow, round, spout
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Thanks. Look at this word "Shower" in Merriam it's /'?aw?/ while in Oxford and cambridge it's /'?a??r/

So, I was wondering if both sounds are the same.

And about "Call" isn't it pronounced as father? Ca:l?


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/'?aw?/-- this is a bisyllabic representation
/'?a??r/- this is a monosyllabic representation (or 'diphthongic', if that's a word)

This instance and that of 'call' represent alternative perspectives and/or differences in dialect.
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