In IPA, [mɛːɹɪj], [mɛɹɪj], [maɹɪj] is what I say. Basically Mary has a long “eh” sound, merry has a short “eh” sound and marry has a short “ah” sound (you can check the IPA vowel chart for the specific sounds here) In General American I think speakers without the merger say them something like [mɛɚ.ɪj], [mɛɹɪj], [mæɹɪj], although over half of Americans are supposed to have the merger now.
I think they think scary rhymes with Mary… That said, there are dialects where Mary rhymes with berry - it’s known as the Mary-merry-marry merger!
That would be so cool!! I would definitely take my wife’s name if I could marry someone named Mary Scary!
“Welcome – Mister and Mrs Scary!”
And just think of the kids!!
“Kids, welcome to our new students, Jane and Justin Scary!”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Pope Scary The First”
“The Right Honourable Prime Minister Scary!”
Imagine the possibilities!!!
(Sorry --I am running a very long test run and I am BORED OUT OF MY MIND while I am waiting for it to finish)
How… how do the rest of you pronounce them?
In IPA, [mɛːɹɪj], [mɛɹɪj], [maɹɪj] is what I say. Basically Mary has a long “eh” sound, merry has a short “eh” sound and marry has a short “ah” sound (you can check the IPA vowel chart for the specific sounds here) In General American I think speakers without the merger say them something like [mɛɚ.ɪj], [mɛɹɪj], [mæɹɪj], although over half of Americans are supposed to have the merger now.
If you’re interested, you can read more here
I have seen this before, it’s both fascinating and horrifying!
So horrifying they outnumber the people who speak in accents where Berry and Mary don’t rhyme.
Literally all three of those words rhyme, where the hell are you from