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The Cot-Caught Distinction
Unlike California (which merges them), NYC strongly distinguishes "cot" and "caught":
- "cot" = /kɑt/ — short, open
- "caught" = /kɔːt/ — longer, rounded lips
- "coffee" = /kɔːfi/ — the NYC /ɔː/ is very distinctive
- "dog" = /dɔːɡ/ — same raised vowel
- "talk" = /tɔːk/
The NYC /ɔː/ sound is one of the most recognizable features of the accent.
Listen Across Accents
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coffee
dog
I'll have a coffee and a hot dog while we talk.
Your Turn — 3 exercises
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