Rhotacism (R-Coloring) Index

The defining acoustic characteristic of the American "R" (/ɹ/) is a dramatic lowering of the third formant (F3), bringing it very close to F2. The smaller the distance between F2 and F3, the stronger the "R" sound.

Common Mistakes

• Relying on subjective hearing instead of measuring Hz values.
• Ignoring the impact of surrounding consonants (coarticulation).
• Not recording yourself with high-fidelity equipment.