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. 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.
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