Pirate’s Arrgh
I lived in Europe for a while teaching several subjects including English and French. In my experience listening to people with languages from different cultures – the “R” is the most difficult sound to get right – in many languages.
Scots roll a long “Arrrr” almost like a pirate. The French pronounce it more like whispering “air”, while Asians often mysteriously switch “R” and “L” sounds.
Similar to how I can count on one hand the number of Americans who can properly pronounce the French words for “aspire” (aspirer) or “wonderful” (merveilleux), even Asians with advanced language skills have trouble properly pronouncing the word “Library.”
For reasons I don’t understand, while it is relatively easy for them to get the “R” and “L” sounds correct at the start of a word, it becomes much harder when the “R” and “L” are towards the end of a word.
To help with that, I’ve found a set of three very similar words employing “R” and “L” sounds that, once mastered, will give one a much greater appearance of fluency in English:
Pear
Peel
Pearlotacism
Ask a native speaker to listen and help until you get it right. Then practice.
Have fun – even if you have to visit the Library . . .
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Further reading: Rhotacism – an incorrect pronunciation of the letter “r”; the substitution of some other sound for that of an “r.”
