Can I learn to trill my "R"s?

September 10, 2004 7:53 AM

Is it possible to learn how to trill Rs? How? Do native speakers of languages with trilled Rs ever have trouble trilling theirs?
posted by stopgap to Writing & Language (11 answers total)

Trilling Instructions instructions, you say? Check out parts 22.18 and 22.20 of the link, especially. Download some phonetogram software to help out with practicing, and watch those schwas!
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:06 AM on September 10, 2004

Sorry - schwas!
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:09 AM on September 10, 2004

I imagine the techniques are about the same as they were two days ago.
posted by jjg at 8:23 AM on September 10, 2004

I was taught the ability to trill Rs, like curling your tongue, was genetic. Always doubted that, though.
posted by Shane at 9:00 AM on September 10, 2004

I can fold my tongue. (like rolling one's tongue, but moreso) I've heard this is a somewhat rare (genetic) thing. My brother can, and, coincidentally, so can my girlfriend. None of us, nor the few other folks I've met who can fold their tongues, has ever been able to properly roll our 'R's. I've always wondered if the two were related.
posted by bradhill at 9:03 AM on September 10, 2004

Do native speakers of languages with trilled Rs ever have trouble trilling theirs?

My Italian host sister in Parma had what the family called the "french R", or an inability to roll her R in the normal Italian way. (It didn't sound too French to me, but it wasn't an English R either.) It was an affliction that both of us shared.
posted by tss at 10:07 AM on September 10, 2004

If you pronounce the r as "air" will it sound correct?
posted by thomcatspike at 10:36 AM on September 10, 2004

I imagine it's possible native speakers have a problem with it, just like there's a speech impediment for almost every sound in this language.
posted by abcde at 11:40 AM on September 10, 2004

When I was younger I couldn't trill Rs to save my life. I tried and tried, no dice.

I am a charismatic christian which means I believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. When I had the experience, my prayer language was filled-with trilled Rs. I have been able to trill/ roll my rs ever since.
posted by konolia at 11:50 AM on September 10, 2004

I was taught to roll my "r"s when I learnt Italian at university. The class sat in the language lab and Paula the lovely Italian lady got us to do it over and over. I'm not perfect but can get it right 9 out of 10 times. Can't actually tell you how to do it thought but it is possible to learn.
posted by jontyjago at 12:18 PM on September 10, 2004

The R's are done differently. Dutch trills the longest I've heard. And yes, natives may have trouble. My partner (Dutch-speaking) says he finds it difficult when he's been speaking English too long. On the other hand, the German I would not call a trill, its further back on the tongue, more akin to the French R.
posted by Goofyy at 12:35 AM on September 13, 2004