Blogging from A to Z: G is for...Glottal Stop
In America, despite my manly good looks, keen mind, and effervescent sense of humor... ...the first thing people normally notice about me is how I talk. Nowadays, my accent has been corrupted by the use of American words, the need to slow down to be understood, and the subtle assimilation of residency. Here in America, I still sound Scottish enough to raise questions about where I come from. To people in the UK, I sound American. One thing people pick up on is my pronunciation of certain words, particularly those with the double t in the middle: Butter - Buh-uhr. This is due to Scots using a Glottal Stop when pronouncing those words. A glottal stop is a complete or partial closure of the glottis (vocal folds) creating a sound which is used instead of the actual sound of the letter. So in butter, instead of the hard "t" sound I use a glottal stop. Americans also use glottal stops, but you just don't notice it. Don't think too hard about it...just say: Ca...