Science · 6 views
Ultrasound reveals hidden tongue movements behind centuries-old language change
Scientists at Lancaster University have observed the hidden tongue movements accompanying a centuries-old change in English speech—offering a rare glimpse of language transforming in real time.
Summary
Scientists at Lancaster University have observed the hidden tongue movements accompanying a centuries-old change in English speech—offering a rare glimpse of language transforming in real time. Linguists have used ultrasound imaging to observe one of these changes as it unfolds inside the mouths of speakers from Blackburn, Lancashire—one of the few places in England where many older speakers still pronounce the historical strong-R sound after vowels in words like star and heart.
AI summaries can be wrong sometimes—always verify important details using the source article.
How AI & Automation are usedMore from Science
Continue reading recent Science coverage
- Swiss Army knife of the Hawaiian Islands—how an endangered bird drills into trees to find foodContinue reading
- Scientists Discover an Unexpected Aging 'Cliff' in Sperm RNAContinue reading
- A phenanthrene co-guest helps crystalline sponges reveal 3D structures of small, low-polarity moleculesContinue reading
- Historic duck DNA traces wild mallard genetic changes to more than a century of releasesContinue reading
Support HappeningNow
Independent AI-powered news analysis is reader-supported. Your contribution helps cover infrastructure, summaries, and continued platform development.
Support HappeningNow