'Near' and, of course, let it be understood that ... that's on the same lines, three syllables, /'pi:@nist/, occasionally /a/. Thanks Do you mean the "father" vowel (usually /A:/ in RP transcriptions)? If so, I have to

Do you mean the "father" vowel (usually /A:/ in RP transcriptions)? If so, I have to admit that I find /Ti:A:tA:/ bizarre (or at least retired-colonel-ish). Yes, I can sort of imagine John Varela saying it.

Do you think of "near" as one or two syllables? ... Could you explain how you pronounce "theatre", "pianist" and "Beatrice"? 'Near' and, of course, let it be understood that one is often wrong about

Interesting examples. Those are one (sic) syllable words for me. . . . Two syllables for me; no diphthong. But they all have about the same quantity! so to say that has oneof something but has two ... to say that Miss Moore's syllable-count

So too for me. "Theater" and "idea" (each two syllables) are, I think, the only words where I have a diphthong /i@/. Really? Did you mean to exclude words where that sound does not have primary stress (e.g. "area",

Okay, let's try. When most Brits say "near to the ... "yatter" with a "th" tacked on the front (Tj&t@). Whereas some Scots can't handle consecutive vowels, and say 'theeter'. I love Eddie Mair this side

Whereas some Scots can't handle consecutive vowels, and say 'theeter'. I love Eddie Mair this side idolatry as much as any man, but "Beetrice is a penist in the theeter" elevates my blood temperature. And when it's

No, but there are some who pronouce both "cot" and ... help him by suggesting the Zulu word "ithole" - "calf". That's a separate issue, innit? The vast majority of Americans use the "cat" vowel

Oddly, you seem to have failed to address the speech features of a number of former Chicago Residents Alienated Pentagonically (CRAP, preferably pronounced "creeap"). How do Donald Rumsfeld, Sy Hersh and Bob Woodward sound to you?

There aren't any English speakers (in the US or elsewhere) who merge cot, caught, *and* cart, are there? No, but there are some who pronouce both "cot" and "caught" in the same way that non-rhotic spreakers pronounce