Linking R.

Intrusive R
 Intrusive /r/ Vs. Linking /r/

In English phonology, the difference between intrusive /r/ and linking /r/ lies in their function and occurrence within
speech. Both phenomena feature the intrusive or linking of the /r/ sound in connected speech, but they originate from
distinct environments or contexts. Let’s discuss both concepts in detail with examples.

1. Linking /r/:

Linking /r/ refers to the /r/ sound that is pronounced at the end of a word when the subsequent word starts with a vowel
sound. It links the words together to facilitate smooth speech fluidity. In many non-rhotic accents of English (such as
British Received Pronunciation, Australian, or New Zealand English), the /r/ is dropped when it appears at the end of a
word and is followed by a consonant or pause. However, if a word ending in /r/ precedes a word starting with a vowel,
the /r/ is pronounced to maintain connected speech.

Examples of linking /r/:

– “four apples” [fɔːr ˈæpl̩ z] (The /r/ sound at the end of “four” links the two words together as the following word “apples”
begins with a vowel sound.)

– “car owner” [kɑːr ˈəʊnər] (The /r/ sound at the end of “car” links the two words together as the following word “owner”
begins with a vowel sound.)

– “bear attack” [beər əˈtæk] (The /r/ sound at the end of “bear” links the two words together as the following word “attack”
begins with a vowel sound.)
 2. Intrusive /r/:

Intrusive /r/ occurs when an /r/ sound is inserted between two words, where it does not historically belong. It typically
happens when the first word ends in the vowel sounds /ə/ (schwa), /ɪə/, /ɑː/, or /ɔː/ and the next word starts with a
vowel sound. The phenomenon is observed primarily in non-rhotic accents of English, where the /r/ is inserted to
eliminate the vowel hiatus and improve speech flow.

Examples of intrusive /r/:

– “idea of” [aɪˈdɪər əv] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “idea” and “of” to eliminate the hiatus between two vowel
sounds.)

– “drawing oranges” [ˈdrɔːrɪŋ ˈɒrɪndʒɪz] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “drawing” and “oranges” to eliminate the
hiatus between two vowel sounds.)

– “media event” [ˈmiːdɪər ɪˈvent] (An /r/ sound is inserted between “media” and “event” to eliminate the hiatus
between two vowel sounds.)

In summary, linking /r/ and intrusive /r/ are phonological phenomena that occur in non-rhotic accents primarily to
maintain connected speech and prevent vowel hiatus. Linking /r/ is the realisation of the /r/ sound at the end of a word
when the following word starts with a vowel sound. In contrast, intrusive /r/ is the insertion of an /r/ sound between
two words where it does not historically belong in order to eliminate the hiatus between consecutive vowel sounds.
 Intrusive R and Linking R: the Difference
The difference between intrusive R and linking R is very clear.
Both have their names originating from their roles. In intrusive
R, the sound ‘r’ is introduced between two words that never
had ‘r’ in their written structure, as long as the vowel sound
follow each other in the two sentences.
a) Her eyes
b) Her rise
• To analyze the pronunciation of the above two sentences comprehensively, we would
look at how intrusive R, linking R and Lexical are affect the way words are pronounced.
• The two sentences would have a similar pronunciation as follows:
• a ) Hαrais
• b) Hαrais
• The two phrases may not bring the meaning of intrusive R because in sentence (a), the
first word has an ‘r’ in its spelling. The second sentence (b) begins with an ‘r’. When
the phrase tuna oil is pronounced in non-rhotic English, it would sound as tjuːnər ɔɪl.
The point that is worth noting with intrusive R is that it is always introduced in places
it never existed before. The above phrase did not have ‘r’ in its original structure.
However, when pronounced, the ‘r’ intrudes into the structure that is, between the
two words.
 True or False
• Intrusive or Linking R

1. There is Linking R in the sentence

I want more ice-cream
2. There is Intrusive R in the sentence
She’ll meet him after eight
3. There is Linking R in the sentence
Please draw a cat
Try to pronounce
Linking
R
[ˈbetər ˋɒf] better off [ˈhɪər ɪt ˋɪz] here it is
[ˈfɔ:r ɔ: ˋfaɪv] four or five [ˈpʊər ˈəʊld ˋtɒm] poor old Tom

Intrusive R
[ˈænə ʳ ən ðə ˋkɪŋ] Anna and the King
[ˈsɪlɪə ʳ ən ˋkrɪs] Celia and Chris
[ˈʃeɪlə ʳ ən pəˋtrɪʃə] Sheila and Patricia
 Intrusive /r/ vs. Linking /r/ Test
1.What is the function of Linking /r/ in English phonology?
- A) It creates a pause between two words.
- B) It eliminates the /r/ sound at the end of a word.
- C) It facilitates smooth speech flow between words beginning with vowel sounds.
- D) It emphasizes consonant sounds at word endings.

2. In which accents of English is Linking /r/ most commonly observed?

- A) Rhotic accents
- B) Non-rhotic accents
- C) Southern British accents
- D) Australian accents

3. When does Intrusive /r/ typically occur?

- A) Between two consonant sounds in a sentence
- B) At the beginning of a word
- C) Between two words where consecutive vowel sounds occur
- D) At the end of a word followed by a consonant sound

4. What is the primary purpose of Intrusive /r/ in connected speech?

- A) To emphasize the consonant sounds between words
- B) To introduce a pause for clarity
- C) To eliminate vowel sounds between words
- D) To improve speech flow by eliminating vowel hiatus

5. What is the key difference between Intrusive /r/ and Linking /r/?
- A) Intrusive /r/ occurs at the beginning of words, while Linking /r/ occurs at the end.
- B) Linking /r/ is introduced to emphasize vowels, while Intrusive /r/ aims to emphasize consonants.
- C) Intrusive /r/ is introduced where it historically never belonged to eliminate vowel hiatus, while Linking /r/ connects words for smooth speech flow.
- D) Linking /r/ primarily occurs in rhotic accents, whereas Intrusive /r/ occurs in non-rhotic accents.