How to pronounce rhotacism
Say it like ROH-tuh-sih-zum. Rhotacism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rhotacism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROH
- tuh
- sih
- zum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rhotacism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of rhotacism
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ROH-tuh-sih-zum.
What does rhotacism mean?
- An exaggerated use of the sound of the letter R.
- A linguistic phenomenon in which a consonant changes into an R; rhotacization.
- The inability to pronounce the letter R; derhotacization.
Questions about saying rhotacism
How do you pronounce rhotacism?
Say ROH-tuh-sih-zum. The American pronunciation is /ˈroʊtəsɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈrəʊtəsɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rhotacism?
Rhotacism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROH). Broken into parts: ROH · tuh · sih · zum.
Is rhotacism pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈrəʊtəsɪzəm/ (ROH-tuh-sih-zum).