As a (more-or-less) RP speaker, I have found the usage of the determiners in
this part of the US noticeably different from my own in terms of pre-vocalic
vowel choice.
Whereas I would have [Di] and [@n] in (unstressed) pre-vocalic position,
local usage is to have [D@] and [@] for both pre-vocalic and pre-consonantal
positions - so 'a elephant' is quite acceptable.
I am now actively listening for any stressed usages!
Martin J Ball
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