why do Americans pronounce Ts like Ds? As in Wadder (Water) Wader (Waiter) and Lidder (Litter)?

Answer 1

It probably was a product of laziness at first but now, pronouncing your Ts sounds...like...cultured, and almost condescending. Only the most educated people will pronounce their Ts. I know, it's weird, but it's become culturally acceptable for the average American not to pronounce them.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why do Americans pronounce Ts like Ds? As in Wadder (Water) Wader (Waiter) and Lidder (Litter)?

Answer 3

I am an american and I say 'water'. You must have been somewere close to NJ. I have heard them say 'wadder' Anyways I believe the answer is something like: Because of the large area laugage tends to change a bit when you travel even if your in the same countery. Like you can find people with acsents 'Like a Taxen" you could tell sometimes just by how they talk...Not sure if thats any help, but I tried.

Answer 4

Well, some people think we're morons. That aside, I believe you may be painting with too broad a brush. The pronunciation of different sounds (be they consonants or vowels) varies from region to region, just as it does in other countries (England for example). In New England the letter 'r' is often dropped, while in the Western states, the 'r' sound is almost over pronounced. I will agree, that, in recent history, the English language has taken quite a beating here with every new generation. It makes me cringe--and I'm a corn-chewing moron!! LOL!! Lucia, be nice. You never know what may be said about you!

Answer 5

I guess it's because we talk wicked fast. When you talk so fast (or don't enunciate that much) everything sorta runs into each other and you have T's that sound like D's. Also, the way you make your mouth for a T sound and a D sound is rather similar, so if your mouth isn't tight enough for a T sound, it comes out like a D.

Answer 6

I believe Sam S was closest to the right answer. When we speak, we have to move our tongue around extremely quickly, and pronunciation always accommodates this limitation. Try saying "water" while pronouncing both the "t" AND the "r". It's hard and takes time. Now say "wadder" (easier). Now say "wah-tah" like a British person. It's also easy - because they drop the "r".

The tongue is at the teeth to say "t" and pulled back to say "r", and that takes time. So, in one short word, one sound has got to go when speaking quickly.

Answer 7

Because it's the way it's heard.
Gimmie a glass a wadder.
:-)

Answer 8

Sometimes it would depend on the regional diction. I know people who pronounce creek, crick... I guess its also because theres an awkward pause unless you in change the tees to dees.

Answer 9

i don'd know. somdimes i think id sounds cool. like our very own accend. jk. i love the way we Americans talk,(except for REALLY country hicks, which their happens to be a lot of where i live) luckily i dont have a country accent. i like anyone elses accent though. i always thought it would be cool to have a spanish accent. its terribly exotic!

Answer 10

Actually, Most Americans pronounce D's Like D's. It is ghetto speak to pronounce T's as D's. It is one of the adverse effects of rap music and rap culture and gangsta talk.

Personally, it makes them sound like idiots and almost guarantees that they make minimum wage. What company wants to have the image of hiring nothing but high school drop outs.