An Atlas of Alexander J. Ellis's
The
Existing Phonology of English Dialects
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This map shows the distribution of the survival of the distinction between ME /wr/ and /r/ in initial position.
● = wr- and r- distinct, ● = wr- and r- variably distinct, ● = wr- and r- the same
dt.
- 3. wrong
cs. - 7. wrong
(c)wl. - 64. wrong, 133. wrote, 498. write, 530. wrought, 699. wright
cs. - 7. wrong
(c)wl. - 64. wrong, 133. wrote, 498. write, 530. wrought, 699. wright
No distinction between wr- and r- is recorded in England in later sources. LAS3 records [vr] (or occasionally [wr]) in Shetland, Ross and Cromarty, Nairn, Moray, Banffshire, Aberdeenshireshire, Kincardineshire and Angus.