Consonants /ŋ/ versus /r/, 4 pairs
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The /ŋ/ sound is spelled with <ng>. The /r/ sound is spelled with <rr>.

This is a contrast between a velar nasal continuant and an alveolar retroflex continuant, both voiced. Since /ŋ/ only occurs finally and /r/ initially, the only possible contrasts are medial and there are very few of them.


  
banger Barra
singer sirrah
  singers sirrahs
tangy tarry

John Higgins, Shaftesbury, December 2010
updated Chiang Mai, 2025