“Long” vowels

THOUGHT, NORTH, FORCE

For THOUGHT, the main variant is a back, half-open and rounded vowel, [ɔ(:)] , but there are some varieties in which a low variant [ɑ:] occurs normally (CanE, NfldE, NEngE, JamC, Baj), with the other one being a possible variant in a number of instances; the West and Midwest (and also the inland North, where the higher type is preferred) have both pronunciations. Off-gliding, possibly in combination with raising of the onset, is also an option with this vowel, resulting in variants such as [ɔə/ʊə]  – regularly in SAmE, conditionally in PhilE, NYCE (where raised monophthongs may also be heard), and AAVE. In many regions of North America, in particular in the West, this vowel has merged with the LOT class.

NORTH is typically realized as a half-open monophthong [ɔ:] in the Caribbean, in SAmE, NEngE, NfldE, Gullah and CajE. The South and CanE have a half-closed [o:] vowel as an equally strong option, a variant which predominates in WMwE, InlNE, PhilE, NYCE, AAVE, and ChcE. Lowering to [ɒ] is a conditional option in WMwE, NfldE, and T&T (all lects). A diphthongal pronunciation of this vowel, as [ɒə/oa] , is characteristic of NYCE and possible in NEngE, SAmE, NfldE, and ChcE.

Realizations of FORCE vary between a half closed [o:], used widely in North America and the Caribbean, and a more open [ɔ:], which is strongest in NEngE, Nfl dE, CajE, and T&TCs, but also used quite widely. Ingliding diphthongal realizations, e.g. [ɔə/oə/ao] , are given for NYCE, AAVE and JamC, as well as, variably, for SAmE, NEngE, CanE, CajE, and ChcE. An upglide, e.g. [oʊ] , is typical of SAmE and possible in AAVE and NEngE.

The SurCs have a low short [a] in these words, homophonous with LOT.