Monday, April 12, 2021

Variation in Swiss German /r/

Swiss German differs from Standard German in many aspects. Most German speakers use a uvular /r/ before vowels and a vocalic /r/ after. These two sounds can be classified as consonantal /r/ and vocalic /r/. However, many speakers of Swiss German use the alveolar trill.

The pronunciation of the /r/ varies in Swiss German. Many speakers use the alveolar trill in all positions. However, in the northern parts of Switzerland such as Basel, the uvular trill and uvular fricative are common. 

The uvular /r/ is most common in urban areas and the alveolar /r/ in rural ones. In Basel, a city in northeastern Switzerland, the uvular /r/ is common, but in Pratteln, a suburban area not far from Basel, the uvular and alveolar pronunciations are both common.

The uvular /r/ is common in Standard German. However, in Swiss German the alveolar /r/ is the most common. The pronunciation of the /r/ varies in Swiss German. In certain parts of German-speaking Switzerland such as Basel, the uvular /r/ is preferred.



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