Narrow
From User talk:Rua
Now, I live in an area that lacks the "merry, Mary, marry" merger. Furthermore, I can perceive the differences between an /ɛ/, /e/ [or "ɛɚ", though that's not really the best transcription for the sound] and /æ/.
Those who have the "merry, Mary, marry" merger will either due one of several things:
- Merge "marry" and "Mary" to /meɹi/, whilst keeping "merry" distinct.
- Merge "marry" and "Mary" to /meɹi/, whilst having "merry" go through the "furry-ferry" merger.
- Merge "merry" and "Mary" to /meɹi/, whilst keeping "marry" distinct (though this form of the merger is rare).
- Merge "marry", "Mary" and "merry" to /meɹi/.
- Merge "marry", "Mary" and "merry" to /mɛɹi/.
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Furthermore, the pronunciation key for narrow should technically list /ˈneɹoʊ/ and /ˈnɛɹoʊ/ for its merged pronunciations. Yet, it was only listing the latter.
Furthermore, I propose both of the merged pronunciations be listed instead of just listing /ˈnɛɹoʊ/.