Rho What?!!

Rhotacism in a nut shell is a disorder that causes the affected to substitute a non-R sound with some form of an R sound. Some characteristics are:

• the excessive or idiosyncratic use of the r;
• conversely, the inability or difficulty in pronouncing r.
  
• the conversion of another consonant, e.g., s, into r.
  

For example, someone who is affected by this phenomenon would say:

Rard instead of Sand

Porridge instead of Pottage

Sur instead of Sun

Rhotacism encompasses 2 major types:

The n>r type which causes words like new to be pronounced as rew


The s>r or s>z>r type which causes words like desire to be pronounced as derire
*This is the most recognized form of Rhotacism

Other alternative types include the t/d > tapped r type which allows pottage to become porridge

Interesting huh?