Date:  Mon, 9 Oct 1995 14:42:06 -0600

From:  "Garland D. Bills" <gbills[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UNM.EDU>

Subject: Re: /z/ + /n/ = /d/ + /n/



In my (North Texas) variety of English, the rule is generalized

approximately as follows: /z/ final of an auxiliary verb -> /d/ before

contracted (syllabic nasal) _not_. Consequently, I typically pronounce

not only _dudn't_, _wadn't_, and _idn't_, but also _hadn't_ for _hasn't_.

This rule seems to be pretty widespread, though speakers are often

totally unaware of it (on a conscious level) and upon reflection will

deny saying [hadnt] "because that's _had not_."



Garland D. Bills                E-mail: gbills[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]unm.edu

Department of Linguistics            Tel.:  (505) 277-7416

University of New Mexico            FAX:  (505) 277-6355

Albuquerque, NM 87131-1196 USA