Here in Boston, I'm told we have no h's & r's unless they start (sounds like start) the word, horse & hoarse sounds like hoss, & short sounds like shot as does shot. The Bostonian accent changes throughout the city, no one sounds like a Kennedy, South Boston has a slight flavor of Irish & the North End a bit of Italian all very distinct to me but not an outsider. When travelling about the States I need some one with me to translate for me (except in the northeast), I not understood at all on the west coast where (sounds like were, we're, ware, where, weare) they pronunce (sounds like p ah nounce, there's the h where the r should be, & wire sounds like wi ah) everything & on the Pacific Islands & in the west, I'm confused with New Yorkers, who I can spot a mile off, just as they can spot me. I don't know if this is in line with this thread, cause I'm not so 'sh oar' I can understand a wo r d you're saying. Nice talking wit ya. Barry