free variation in pronunciation

[Mark A. Mandel]

A. Murie <sagehen at WESTELCOM.COM> writes:

>>>>>
Roof and root are both examples where it seems to me that whether the
double o is pronounced as in /good/ or as in /food/ is pretty free.  At
least I might say either at any time without noticing that I was making a
choice. Whether this is also true for hoof, I'm less sure, though I know
both pronunciations are used, but perhaps by different people.
<<<<<

Which brings to mind a different kind of potential free variation to look
for: strong vs. weak forms. Hooves/hoofs, leaped/leapt, dove/dived.

-- Mark