Zulu English

Phonology

• The met–mate merger is a phenomenon occurring for some speakers of Zulu English where and are both pronounced. As a result, the words "met" and "mate" are homophonous as.
• The cot–coat merger is a phenomenon occurring for some speakers of Zulu English where the phonemes and are not distinguished.
• Confusion between and also occurs: it is reported that is sometimes replaced by, so ship may be pronounced like chip.
• Devoicing of certain obstruents, particularly.