-----Original Message-----
From: Haukur Thorgeirsson
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 9/19/2003 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: [norse_course] pronouncing "r" ?

> I've noticed what may fit the description of a half-voiced r in
> instances where one of us Yanks attempts to mimic an Indian accent.

One

> starts with a nice voiced r that is allowed to suddenly cut out and
> leaves the tongue flapping owing to its own momentum. Is this,

perhaps,

> what you mean?

I don't know. When I try to mimic an Indian accent I try to
make retroflex sounds.

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This is quite correct - the production of such an r-sound
does indeed involve a retroflex motion of the tongue. The
back-curving of the tongue prolongs the flapping much the
same as an ice skater increases their rate of rotation by
pulling in the arms.
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Kveðja,
Haukur