Corrine McCarthy's Listening Guide
Too Hot for Hockey
Don and Patty took the bus to the gym to watch some hockey. They met their pals Dawn and Chad.
They snacked on nachos, hot dogs, sausage, and pop. Then they noticed something odd: the gym was getting hot! Don and Dawn took off their jackets. Patty wiped the sweat with a paper towel. Chad took off his hat and used it as a fan.
the puck never hit the ice, which sadly had begun to melt. They couldn’t get the gym cool enough. The match was canceled, so the friends headed to a bar to watch the Sox game.
What we’re listening for: Chicago vowels
Words in yellow test for a fronted “o” vowel, a feature of Chicago English. Does the speaker say “h-ah-ckey,” “p-ah-p” and “ah-dd”? If so, they probably have a fronted “o” vowel.
Words in red test for a raised “a” vowel, a feature of Chicago English. Does the speaker say “sn-eak-ed,” “h-ea-t” and “m-ea-tch”? If so, they probably have a raised “a” vowel.
Words in green test for a backed “uh” vowel, a feature of Chicago English. Does the speaker say “b-aw-s,” “p-aw-ck” and “en-aw-gh”? If so, they probably have a backed “uh” vowel.
Other things we listened for:
Did the speaker pronounce “Don” and “Dawn” differently (most likely as “Dahn” and “Dawn”)? Chicagoans generally distinguish between the “ah” and “aw” vowels found in “Don” and “Dawn.” Speakers whose speech doesn't resemble the accent generally pronounce “Don” and “Dawn” the same way.
Does the speaker say things like “da puck” or “wid a paper towel”? The pronunciation of “th” as “d” is a classic Chicago feature, though this is also found in other dialects in the U.S. and abroad.
