Rhotic

English pronounciation is divided into two main accent groups, the rhotic and the non-rhotic. Rhotic speakers pronounce the post-vocalic r, while non-rhotic speakers do not.

A post-vocalic r is one which occurs after a vowel such as the r in water. Rhotic speakers will always pronounce this r. Non-rhotic speakers may pronounce it in a phrase like turn the water off or a word like corridor when it is followed by another vowel but they will not pronounce it in a phrase like put the water down or a word like hurt where it is followed by a consonant. They tend to lengthen the final vowel in water instead. This also tends to happen in a word like occurs where the u will be lengthened and the r removed by a non-rhotic speaker.

Areas with rhotic accents include Barbados, India, Ireland, Scotland, Northumbria, southwest England, most of the northern United States (excluding New York and the New England region), and Canada.

Areas with non-rhotic accents include Africa, most of the Carribean, most of England (especially Received Pronounciation speakers), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the southern United States, New England, New York and Wales.