Vowel systems SQUARE

The SQUARE set of words, corresponding to ME /ε:/ and /a:/ before /r/, is represented in the Suriname creoles by such words as square, care, wear, swear, there. Unlike in the case of the front high vowel we clearly have two different developments with regard to /r/. In some cases it is retained, and in others it is not.

Hare shows a peculiar vowel development, which we will discuss together with shear immediately below.

Just as with the FLEECE set of words, there are also words with ME /ε:/ that in standard English are in the NEAR class but show a different development in the Suriname creoles.

Shear and hare show the same development in the vowel, neither a lowering diphthong nor a monophthong as might be expected, but a raising diphthong. What is the source of this? Smith (1987: 335–336) provides a long technical discussion, the conclusion of which is that we may be able to see a distinction between disyllabic and monosyllabic /r/-less vowel reflexes here.

Similar reflexes such as [εɪə​] are actually encountered in words like hair in Southern England, and something similar is recorded for Cockney.