Consonants T, D

Several types of substitutions involving the alveolar stops /t/ and /d/ appear in the New England area. These include both substitutions of spirantized variants for alveolar stops as well as alveolar stops substituting for interdental fricatives. Glottal stop replacement of /t/ (e.g.,  mitten,  Vermont,  Right on!) in VT appears to be a robust dialect phenomenon. Although considered to be a traditional rural phenomenon most common to older male speakers, these glottal forms are found in speakers of all ages in VT. Children produced at least as many glottal stop forms as their parents, with girls producing more  than boys (Roberts 2001). These findings demonstrate that dialect obsolescence, common in rural areas, does not necessarily mean a change toward “Standard English.” In this case, girls appear to be leading a change toward a resurgence of glottal stop replacement. Similar findings have been reported in the United Kingdom where research on the glottal stop has been going on for years (cf. Milroy et al. 1994; Foulkes, Docherty and Watt 1999).

Nagy and Ryback-Soucy (2000) indicates the frequent use of alveolar stops /t/ and /d/ in place of interdental fricatives /θ/ and /ð/ among speakers who self-identify as members of the Franco-American community of Manchester, NH.

Finally, Miller (1989: 104) reports categorical flapping in butter for the speakers he surveyed in ME. LANE also reports flapping for most of NE (Map 496, vol. III, Part 1, cited in Miller 1989: 105). This is in keeping with the general pattern of northern AmE: categorical post-tonic flapping for all speakers (Strassell 1997).