Singer/finger

[Laurence Horn]

On May 15, 2013, at 2:52 PM, Jim Parish wrote:

> A discussion on another list has raised a question in my mind. Are there
> English dialects that do not make the /N/ - /Ng/ distinction, as in
> "singer" vs. "finger"?
>
> Jim Parish
>
I've heard the /sINg at r/ pronunciation described as a hallmark of NYC pronunciation (Jewish in particular, if memory serves), but I can't testify to this first-hand.  I've only ever heard "finger" as /fINg at r/, but I suppose if it refers to someone or something that fings, it would rhyme with "singer".  "Longer" ['one who longs', no /g/] and "longer" ['more long', with /g/] is a good minimal pair, at least for me.

LH

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