Lot's of people these days don't pronounce their "th's" Why not?

Question

They say fank you, I fink so, I fought so, free instead of three, somefing, and so it goes on. It sounds common, chavvy, horrible and is intensely irritating. Anyone agree?

This is in the UK btw.

Actually it's not really so much of an issue for true "East End" people as that has long been the "accent" I mean an awful lot of youngsters particularly that just appear to be slovenly in their speech. I bet if you listen out you will hear it a lot.

I am in the South of England and again I am not referring to any any coloqualisms that are considered normal with an accent like the Irish comments whch I would totally accept. I am reffering to generally slovenly speech within the English language today.
By the way I do not speek with a 'plum in my mouth' just believe in pronouncing words properly and clearly.

ok, typo on the word speak, typical, lol.

Ok, I give up. Firstly I sincerely apologise for my error, an incorrect use of an apostrophe in the word lots. I also cannot be bothered to try and further explain my point as the latter answers have not bothered to read and understand my later comments.

By the way Garik, you are funny, great answer but I think the energy point is taking my comment a little far.......

Answer 1

Fewer people are taught not to these days. It used to be an essential part of education, now it is not.

Answer 2

Because not everyone speaks the same. Are you familiar with this concept?

To give another example: most Scottish and North American people pronounce an [r] sound in "for" even if there's no vowel after it (as in "for ten people"). Most English and Welsh people don't (and this includes the Queen). Does this mean that Scots and North Americans speak better English?

Nope.

It's not a matter of better or worse. It has nothing to do with laziness or slovenliness (how could it? Do you honestly believe that people find saying "fink" instead of "think" saves them energy!?). It has nothing to do with correct or incorrect. It's just different. And it's just a fundamental feature of language that it changes and varies.

I would add that if you're into complaining about people not conforming to linguistic norms, you should probably be more careful about how you use apostrophes...

Answer 3

In Ireland most people never render the 'th' as a dental fricative [ð] but as a plosive [t] or [d]. At least I do and the majority of people I know. That's normal speech for speakers of Hiberno-English.

It's called linguistic variation and change. Read a linguistics book people. Are ye familiar with the term 'glottal stop'? Otherwise known as 'glo'al stop'. Try saying the word 'bottle' out without using a glottal stop and you'll sound like a baby.

By the way, it is "lots" not "lot's". You could say "a lot of" to be even more correct.

Answer 4

Same reason that so many drop their 'g's, I suppose. Tho to tell you the truth, I have not really noticed people pronouncing 'th' like an 'f'. But I bet that does sound horrid. I live in the deep South, and have to put up with that awful nasal drawl. You hear it a lot in Country and Western songs.

Answer 5

Please tell me you live in Essex because i'd hate to think that happened everywhere!!

Yes, it p*isses me off a bit. Also, when people say "well good" or "well nice" instead of really. What's the point??

I know it sounds trivial but it is irritating, you're right.

I'm nearly 16 and used to talk like that a bit, it's hard when you're caught up in Southend-on-sea, but i'm sticking to my guns and talking proper English now ha ha :)

Good question.

Answer 6

Perhaps they're missing their fwont teef. That would make fings a little hard to pronounce. Fanks for listening.

Answer 7

Because it's hard to pronounce? Sometimes instead of th, I say something similar to t, but not exactly a t.

Answer 8

Yuck, that sounds horrendous. I think people are being lazy. If they've never pronounced those words correctly, then they've never been tought the correct way and that's upsetting!

Answer 9

It's a London accent

Answer 10

I agree. That's baby talk. Likely no one took the time to correct their pronunciation.

I hear it most with D replacing the Th, instead if F though.